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Moving from North Carolina to Tennessee

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Research Triangle boom, banking, mountains + coast. vs. Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

NC state flag
Living now

North Carolina

Capital: Raleigh

Median household income $66,186 · winter low 30°F · 213 sunny days

Research Triangle boom, banking, mountains + coast.

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
North Carolina
94.3
Tennessee
91.9
Tennessee has 2.6% lower overall price level
Housing index
North Carolina
81.4
Tennessee
79.1
Tennessee has 2.8% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
North Carolina
98.6
Tennessee
98.0
Tennessee has 0.6% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
North Carolina
99.1
Tennessee
98.8
Electricity rate
North Carolina
16 ¢/kWh
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
Tennessee has 5.8% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
North Carolina
98.9
Tennessee
98.4
Median home value
North Carolina
$333,000
Tennessee
$332,600
Median monthly rent
North Carolina
$1,274/mo
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
Tennessee is 7.4% 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
North Carolina
88°F
Tennessee
89°F
Tennessee is 1.1% more summer highs
Avg winter low
North Carolina
30°F
Tennessee
30°F
Avg annual temperature
North Carolina
59°F
Tennessee
58°F
Tennessee is 1.4% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
North Carolina
213
Tennessee
207
Tennessee has 2.8% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
North Carolina
50 in
Tennessee
54 in
Tennessee is 8.1% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
North Carolina
38
Tennessee
50
Tennessee has 32% higher AQI
Snow / year
North Carolina
6 in
Tennessee
5 in
Tennessee is 17% less annual snowfall

Get the full North CarolinaTennessee 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 North Carolina?

Tennessee's overall price level is roughly 91.9 (US avg = 100), vs about 95 for North Carolina — 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?

North Carolina tops out at 3.99% 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.

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