What Is a Good Salary in Tennessee in 2026?
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
A good salary in Tennessee is $55,000-$70,000 for a single person. Tennessee’s no income tax means more take-home pay.
Quick Answer by City
| City |
Good Salary |
Comfortable |
Thriving |
| Nashville |
$70,000 |
$90,000 |
$125,000 |
| Memphis |
$50,000 |
$65,000 |
$90,000 |
| Knoxville |
$50,000 |
$65,000 |
$90,000 |
| Chattanooga |
$55,000 |
$70,000 |
$95,000 |
| Franklin |
$80,000 |
$100,000 |
$140,000 |
Tennessee Cost of Living
| Category |
Tennessee |
National Avg |
Difference |
| Overall |
90 |
100 |
-10% |
| Housing |
85 |
100 |
-15% |
| Transportation |
92 |
100 |
-8% |
| Healthcare |
95 |
100 |
-5% |
| Utilities |
96 |
100 |
-4% |
Nashville metro is now about average; rest of state is significantly below.
No State Income Tax Advantage
Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.
Take-Home Comparison: Tennessee vs. California
| Gross Salary |
TN Take-Home |
CA Take-Home |
TN Advantage |
| $60,000 |
$49,910 |
$44,200 |
+$5,710 |
| $80,000 |
$64,760 |
$56,500 |
+$8,260 |
| $100,000 |
$79,850 |
$68,500 |
+$11,350 |
| $150,000 |
$115,900 |
$97,500 |
+$18,400 |
Take-Home Pay in Tennessee
| Gross Salary |
Federal Tax |
FICA |
Take-Home |
| $50,000 |
$4,000 |
$3,825 |
$42,175 |
| $60,000 |
$5,500 |
$4,590 |
$49,910 |
| $75,000 |
$8,000 |
$5,738 |
$61,262 |
| $100,000 |
$12,500 |
$7,650 |
$79,850 |
Note: No state income tax deduction.
Housing Costs by City
| City |
Median Home Price |
Median Rent (1BR) |
| Nashville |
$450,000 |
$1,600 |
| Franklin |
$650,000 |
$1,900 |
| Memphis |
$220,000 |
$1,000 |
| Knoxville |
$320,000 |
$1,200 |
| Chattanooga |
$350,000 |
$1,300 |
Nashville has seen 50%+ price growth since 2020.
Nashville Metro Growth Impact
| Year |
Nashville Median Home |
Required Salary |
| 2020 |
$290,000 |
$55,000 |
| 2022 |
$425,000 |
$80,000 |
| 2024 |
$440,000 |
$85,000 |
| 2026 |
$450,000 |
$87,000 |
