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Moving from Washington to Tennessee

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side. vs. Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

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
Washington
107.0
Tennessee
91.9
Tennessee has 14% lower overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
Tennessee
79.1
Tennessee has 37% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
Tennessee
98.0
Tennessee has 3.7% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
Tennessee
98.8
Tennessee has 2.2% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
Tennessee has 4.7% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
Tennessee
98.4
Tennessee has 3.0% lower transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
Tennessee
$332,600
Tennessee is 45% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
Tennessee is 28% 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
Washington
79°F
Tennessee
89°F
Tennessee is 13% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
Tennessee
30°F
Tennessee is 14% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
Tennessee
58°F
Tennessee is 16% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
Tennessee
207
Tennessee has 36% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
Tennessee
54 in
Tennessee is 34% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
Tennessee
50
Tennessee has 28% higher AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
Tennessee
5 in
Tennessee is 83% less annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonTennessee report

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

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee than Washington?

Tennessee's overall price level is roughly 91.9 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.8 for Washington — 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?

Washington tops out at 0% 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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