Tennessee vs Virginia Paycheck Comparison 2026
Annual salary
Annual salary
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
$3,498 /yr more take-home in Tennessee
$292/mo · $135 a paycheck.
Tennessee
Virginia
$61,593/yr in Tennessee vs $58,094/yr in Virginia.
Tennessee
Take-home per paycheck
$2,368.94
$61,593/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
Virginia
Take-home per paycheck
$2,234.39
$58,094/yr · 26x/yr
Tax rates
What this paycheck affords in Tennessee vs Virginia
Sized off $5,133/mo take-home in Tennessee and $4,841/mo in Virginia. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.
Purchasing power
$69,864 is what Tennessee take-home is worth at Virginia prices
Against $58,094 actually paid in Virginia, leaving Tennessee $11,770/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.
Rent
$340 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Virginia
$1,154/mo in Tennessee, $1,494/mo in Virginia.
The average two-bedroom takes 22% of take-home in Tennessee and 31% in Virginia — inside the comfortable range in Tennessee, a stretch in Virginia.
Buying a home
$70,000 more for the median home in Virginia
$310,000 in Tennessee, $380,000 in Virginia.
The median home is 1.1× what this salary supports in Tennessee and 1.4× in Virginia. 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
$847 /mo more left over in Tennessee
Tennessee has $1,778/mo spare; Virginia has $931/mo spare.
Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $577/mo in Tennessee and $747/mo in Virginia.
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 | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.14/gal | $3.32/gal |
| Electricity | $97/mo | $94/mo |
| Infant childcare | $1,021/mo | $1,190/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 25% in Virginia.
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.
Virginia: Virginia uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 2.00% to 5.75%.
Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)
| Salary | Tennessee take-home | Virginia take-home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $42,355 | $40,294 | + $2,061 |
| $75,000 | $61,593 | $58,094 | + $3,498 |
| $100,000 | $79,180 | $74,244 | + $4,936 |
| $150,000 | $113,791 | $105,980 | + $7,811 |
| $200,000 | $148,927 | $138,241 | + $10,686 |
| $300,000 | $215,177 | $198,741 | + $16,436 |
Positive values mean higher take-home in Tennessee. Assumes single filer, no deductions.
FAQ
Which state has lower taxes, Tennessee or Virginia?
At a $100,000 salary, Tennessee results in $4,936 more annual take-home pay. Tennessee has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Virginia uses a progressive income tax with 4 brackets ranging from 2.00% to 5.75%.
How much more do you take home in Tennessee vs the other state?
The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $2,061/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $7,811/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $16,436/yr.
Do Tennessee and Virginia 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 Virginia?
Tennessee is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Tennessee is 12% lower than in Virginia. Tennessee's Regional Price Parity is 90.7 and Virginia's is 103.2 (US average = 100).
Is Tennessee cheaper than Virginia?
Yes. Tennessee has a lower cost of living than Virginia (index 90.7 vs 103.2). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.
Is Virginia more expensive than Tennessee?
Yes. Virginia has a higher cost of living (index 103.2) 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 $69,589 in Virginia terms. Conversely, $74,244 in Virginia equals $84,476 in Tennessee terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Virginia comes out ahead.
Tennessee vs Virginia cost of living — what's the difference?
The overall cost of living is 13% different between Tennessee and Virginia. Living costs are 9% below the national average Living costs are about 3% above the national average After taxes and cost of living, Virginia gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.
Do I need to file state tax returns in both Tennessee and Virginia?
Tennessee has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. Virginia requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. 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
- Tennessee vs Virginia Cost of Living — Compare housing, groceries, utilities, and overall expenses
- Tennessee Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- Virginia Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and overall index
- How much house can you afford in Tennessee?
- How much house can you afford in Virginia?
- Tennessee Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Virginia Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates and effective tax rate
- Tennessee Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Virginia Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- 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
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
Tennessee Paycheck Estimator · Virginia Paycheck Estimator · All states