Tennessee vs Texas Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$0 difference — take-home 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
Tax rates
Texas
Take-home per paycheck
$2,368.94
$61,593/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Tennessee vs Texas
Sized off $5,133/mo take-home in Tennessee and $5,133/mo in Texas. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$62,276 is what Tennessee take-home is worth at Texas prices
Against $61,593 actually paid in Texas, leaving Tennessee $684/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$42 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Tennessee
$1,154/mo in Tennessee, $1,112/mo in Texas.
The average two-bedroom takes 22% of take-home in Tennessee and 22% in Texas — inside the comfortable range in both.
Buying a home
$15,000 more for the median home in Tennessee
$310,000 in Tennessee, $295,000 in Texas.
The median home is 1.1× what this salary supports in Tennessee and 1.2× in Texas. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.
What's left each month
$84 /mo more left over in Tennessee
Tennessee has $1,778/mo spare; Texas has $1,695/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $577/mo in Tennessee and $556/mo in Texas.
Monthly cost by expense class
Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.
Other costs
| Cost | Tennessee | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.14/gal | $3.21/gal |
| Electricity | $97/mo | $87/mo |
| Infant childcare | $1,021/mo | $892/mo |
Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 20% of take-home in Tennessee and 17% in Texas.
Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
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.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Tennessee and Texas?
Tennessee has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. Texas has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.
Related tools
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- Tennessee Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- Texas Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
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- How much house can you afford in Texas?
- Tennessee Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Texas Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
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- Pay Raise Calculator — See how a raise changes your take-home pay
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
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Tennessee Paycheck Estimator · Texas Paycheck Estimator · All states