Tennessee vs Texas Paycheck Comparison 2026

Annual salary

$

Annual salary

$
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
Filing status
$
$

Take-home pay is identical

Tennessee
Texas

$61,593/yr in Tennessee vs $61,593/yr in Texas.

Tennessee

Take-home per paycheck

$2,368.94

$61,593/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$61,59382%
Tax rates
Effective: 17.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%

Texas

Take-home per paycheck

$2,368.94

$61,593/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$61,59382%
Tax rates
Effective: 17.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%

Cost of living comparison

Cost of living in Tennessee and Texas is about the same.

At a $75,000 salary, take-home pay of $61,593 in Tennessee has the purchasing power of $60,916 in Texas terms.

After adjusting for cost of living, Texas comes out ahead by $677/yr.

Housing
Median home$310,000vs$295,000
Tennessee
5% more
Texas
Avg 2BR rent$1,154/movs$1,112/mo
Tennessee
4% more
Texas
Groceries
Index
Tennessee
2% more
Texas
Transportation
Regular gas$3.14/galvs$3.21/gal
Tennessee
Texas
2% more
Utilities
Electric bill$97/movs$87/mo
Tennessee
11% more
Texas
Healthcare
Index
Tennessee
Texas
12% more
Childcare & Misc
Infant childcare$12,249/yrvs$10,706/yr
Tennessee
14% more
Texas

Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.

Tax system comparison

Tennessee: Tennessee has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

Texas: Texas has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)

Salary Tennessee take-home Texas take-home Difference
$50,000 $42,355 $42,355 $0
$75,000 $61,593 $61,593 $0
$100,000 $79,180 $79,180 $0
$150,000 $113,791 $113,791 $0
$200,000 $148,927 $148,927 $0
$300,000 $215,177 $215,177 $0

Positive values mean higher take-home in Tennessee. Assumes single filer, no deductions.

FAQ

Which state has lower taxes, Tennessee or Texas?

At a $100,000 salary, Texas results in $0 more annual take-home pay. Tennessee has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Texas has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

How much more do you take home in Texas vs the other state?

The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $0/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $0/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $0/yr.

Do Tennessee and Texas have the same federal taxes?

Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.

Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or Texas?

Tennessee is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Tennessee is 7% lower than in Texas. Tennessee's Regional Price Parity is 90.7 and Texas's is 97.5 (US average = 100).

Is Tennessee cheaper than Texas?

Yes. Tennessee has a lower cost of living than Texas (index 90.7 vs 97.5). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.

Is Texas more expensive than Tennessee?

Yes. Texas has a higher cost of living (index 97.5) compared to Tennessee (index 90.7). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.

After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?

At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $79,180 in Tennessee has the purchasing power of $73,658 in Texas terms. Conversely, $79,180 in Texas equals $85,116 in Tennessee terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Texas comes out ahead.

Tennessee vs Texas cost of living — what's the difference?

The overall cost of living is 7% different between Tennessee and Texas. Living costs are 9% below the national average Living costs are about 3% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Texas gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.

Related tools

Tennessee Paycheck Estimator · Texas Paycheck Estimator · All states