Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from District of Columbia to Tennessee

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living. vs. Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

DC
Living now

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

TN state flag
Moving to

Tennessee

Capital: Nashville

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days

Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

Tennessee has an overall price level 91.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
District of Columbia
109.9
Tennessee
91.9
Tennessee has 16% lower overall price level
Housing index
District of Columbia
155.0
Tennessee
79.1
Tennessee has 49% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.5
Tennessee
98.0
Tennessee has 4.4% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
District of Columbia
101.5
Tennessee
98.8
Tennessee has 2.7% lower utilities
Electricity rate
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
Tennessee has 40% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.0
Tennessee
98.4
Tennessee has 3.5% lower transportation
Median home value
District of Columbia
$733,400
Tennessee
$332,600
Tennessee is 55% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
Tennessee is 39% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 89°F · Winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
District of Columbia
88°F
Tennessee
89°F
Tennessee is 1.1% more summer highs
Avg winter low
District of Columbia
28°F
Tennessee
30°F
Tennessee is 7.1% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
District of Columbia
57°F
Tennessee
58°F
Sunny days / year
District of Columbia
197
Tennessee
207
Tennessee has 5.1% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
District of Columbia
45 in
Tennessee
54 in
Tennessee is 20% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
District of Columbia
47
Tennessee
50
Tennessee has 6.4% higher AQI
Snow / year
District of Columbia
11 in
Tennessee
5 in
Tennessee is 55% less annual snowfall

Get the full District of ColumbiaTennessee report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee than District of Columbia?

Tennessee's overall price level is roughly 91.9 (US avg = 100), vs about 117.4 for District of Columbia — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

District of Columbia tops out at 10.75% income tax. Tennessee tops out at 0%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Tennessee?

Most Tennessee residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

Related comparisons