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Moving from Tennessee to District of Columbia

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

TN state flag
Living now

Tennessee

Capital: Nashville

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

Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

DC
Moving to

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

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

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

District of Columbia has an overall price level 109.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Tennessee
91.9
District of Columbia
109.9
District of Columbia has 20% higher overall price level
Housing index
Tennessee
79.1
District of Columbia
155.0
District of Columbia has 96% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.0
District of Columbia
102.5
District of Columbia has 4.6% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.8
District of Columbia
101.5
District of Columbia has 2.7% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
District of Columbia has 66% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.4
District of Columbia
102.0
District of Columbia has 3.7% higher transportation
Median home value
Tennessee
$332,600
District of Columbia
$733,400
District of Columbia is 121% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
District of Columbia is 63% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 88°F · Winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Tennessee
89°F
District of Columbia
88°F
District of Columbia is 1.1% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Tennessee
30°F
District of Columbia
28°F
District of Columbia is 6.7% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Tennessee
58°F
District of Columbia
57°F
Sunny days / year
Tennessee
207
District of Columbia
197
District of Columbia has 4.8% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Tennessee
54 in
District of Columbia
45 in
District of Columbia is 17% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Tennessee
50
District of Columbia
47
District of Columbia has 6.0% lower AQI
Snow / year
Tennessee
5 in
District of Columbia
11 in
District of Columbia is 120% more annual snowfall

Get the full TennesseeDistrict of Columbia 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 District of Columbia than Tennessee?

District of Columbia's overall price level is roughly 117.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 91.9 for Tennessee — 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?

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

How long do I have to register my vehicle in District of Columbia?

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

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