Tennessee
Thinking of moving to Tennessee? We can help you with that.
Tennessee is a great example of everything that makes the South so special: good food, good music and good people.
For music lovers, Tennessee is a dream come true. Country music is well represented in Nashville, of course, with legends like Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn gracing the halls of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Aspiring musicians perform around town at festivals, traditional establishments like the Grand Ole Opry, and honky tonk bars on Broadway. Or if country music isn’t your thing, head on over to Memphis to soak up the city’s rich history (and exciting current scene) of blues and soul music and tour Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
Tennessee also attracts outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking (hello, Smoky Mountains!), fishing and other water-related activities, as the state boasts a plethora of rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
In terms of affordability, Tennessee boasts low unemployment rates, a comfortably low cost of living – and no personal income tax. Its standout quality of life and access to talent make it a hotspot for entrepreneurs. The health care and automotive industries are big players, with over 300 health-related companies and more than 900 automotive manufacturing operations. Tennessee is also home to many top-notch universities, like Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee.
Read on to learn more about working and living in Tennessee.
Tennessee Economic Development Guide
This digital edition of the Tennessee Economic Development Guide is sponsored by Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Quick Facts About Tennessee
- Median Household Income
- $72,204
- Average Property Tax
- $2,704
- State Population
- 7,268,282
- Sales Tax Rate
- 7 %
- State Income Tax
- 0%
- Median Monthly Rent
- $1,002
Average Temperatures
70 high / 47 low
Average Annual Rainfall
52 in
Average Annual Snowfall
6 in
Moving To Tennessee
-
Taste of Tennessee: 6 Places With a Focus on Locally Sourced Food
-
West Tennessee is Calling: Explore the Great Outdoors
-
How to Prepare for Severe Weather in Tennessee
-
Made in Tennessee: A Spotlight on Tennessee’s Creative Spirit
-
The Best Cities Across Tennessee for Youth Sports
-
4 Seasons of Fun: Explore Outdoor Activities in Middle Tennessee
-
Volunteer Spirit: How Communities Come Together in Tennessee
-
I Followed My Kids to Tennessee, Now What?
-
Get Outside: Things To Do in East Tennessee in Every Season
-
12 Fun Farms Near Nashville to Visit This Fall
Places We Love In Tennessee
Cities in Tennessee on Livability.com
- Alcoa, TN
- Arlington, TN
- Ashland City, TN
- Athens, TN
- Atoka, TN
- Bartlett, TN
- Bloomingdale, TN
- Bolivar, TN
- Brentwood, TN
- Bristol, TN
- Brownsville, TN
- Chattanooga, TN
- Church Hill, TN
- Clarksville, TN
- Cleveland, TN
- Clinton, TN
- Collegedale, TN
- Collierville, TN
- Columbia, TN
- Cookeville, TN
- Coopertown, TN
- Covington, TN
- Crossville, TN
- Dayton, TN
- Dickson, TN
- Dyersburg, TN
- Eagleton Village, TN
- East Ridge, TN
- Elizabethton, TN
- Erwin, TN
- Fairfield Glade, TN
- Fairview, TN
- Farragut, TN
- Fayetteville, TN
- Forest Hills, TN
- Franklin, TN
- Friendsville, TN
- Gallatin, TN
- Germantown, TN
- Goodlettsville, TN
- Green Hill, TN
- Greenbrier, TN
- Greeneville, TN
- Harriman, TN
- Harrison, TN
- Hartsville/Trousdale County, TN
- Henderson, TN
- Hendersonville, TN
- Humboldt, TN
- Jackson, TN
- Jefferson City, TN
- Johnson City, TN
- Jonesborough, TN
- Kingsport, TN
- Kingston, TN
- Knoxville, TN
- La Follette, TN
- La Vergne, TN
- Lafayette, TN
- Lakeland, TN
- Lawrenceburg, TN
- Lebanon, TN
- Lenoir City, TN
- Lewisburg, TN
- Lexington, TN
- Loudon, TN
- Louisville, TN
- Lynchburg, TN
- Manchester, TN
- Martin, TN
- Maryville, TN
- McKenzie, TN
- McMinnville, TN
- Memphis, TN
- Middle Valley, TN
- Milan, TN
- Millersville, TN
- Millington, TN
- Morristown, TN
- Mount Carmel, TN
- Mount Juliet, TN
- Mount Pleasant, TN
- Munford, TN
- Murfreesboro, TN
- Nashville, TN
- Newport, TN
- Nolensville, TN
- Oak Ridge, TN
- Oakland, TN
- Paris, TN
- Pigeon Forge, TN
- Portland, TN
- Pulaski, TN
- Red Bank, TN
- Ripley, TN
- Rockwood, TN
- Savannah, TN
- Sevierville, TN
- Seymour, TN
- Shelbyville, TN
- Signal Mountain, TN
- Smyrna, TN
- Soddy-Daisy, TN
- South Cleveland, TN
- Sparta, TN
- Spring Hill, TN
- Springfield, TN
- Sweetwater, TN
- Tellico Village, TN
- Thompson’s Station, TN
- Townsend, TN
- Tullahoma, TN
- Union City, TN
- White House, TN
- Winchester, TN
Travel Through Tennessee
-
14 Outdoor Adventure Destinations Near Elizabethton to Explore Adventure Awaits
-
Escape To Crossville and Cumberland County
-
Nashville Zoo Offers a Wild Adventure for All Ages
-
Small Town, Big Soul
-
Soak Up the Serenity of Sevier County
-
Come See Why Memories are Made in Sumner County
-
Get Ready for a Ripley’s Adventure
-
Eat, Drink and Explore in The Great Smoky Mountains
-
Visit Rutherford County
-
Forget Your Cares in Fentress County
-
Civil Rights History Is on View in Memphis
-
You Had Me At Ice Cream
-
Discover Wonder on Lookout Mountain
-
A Farmer’s Life for Me at Lucky Ladd Farms
-
Make the Great Escape to Goodlettsville, Tennessee
Experiences & Adventures in Tennessee
7 Ways to Experience Appalachian History in the Smoky Mountains
Ready to look past the tourist strips? From 18th-century Cherokee living villages and traffic-free bike loops to heritage moonshine tastings, discover the true heartbeat of the hills.
Go There: How to Spend 48 Hours in Chattanooga, TN
Savor the sights, sounds and flavors of the Scenic City.
The Ultimate First-Timer’s Anakeesta Guide: Magic in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Planning a mountain escape this summer? Perched high above Gatlinburg and 90+ acres of mountain coasters and canopy walks, Anakeesta is the ultimate outdoor adventure spot.
Food Scenes in Tennessee
8 Iconic Foods from Tennessee
Some of your favorite foods to feast on are actually from the Volunteer State.
Food Manufacturers Find Their Sweet Spot in Tennessee
From iconic brands like MoonPie and Goo Goo Cluster to artisan chocolatiers, discover the sweet success stories of Tennessee's food and beverage industry.
The Official Food of Each State in the U.S
Eat your way through America the beautiful with our guide to the official food of each state.
Healthy Places in Tennessee
How Nashville, TN, is Shaping the Future of Healthcare
Expertise, innovation and collaboration define the 'Health Care City.'
Life Sciences Innovation: Tennessee Health Care Shapes The State’s Future
Discover how the Tennessee health-care sector is shaping the future of medicine and research throughout the state.
Find a Healthy Future in Tennessee
Health care research and innovation power state's role as a global player in life sciences.
Make Your Move to Tennessee
Why I Moved to Tennessee — And You Should, Too
Two residents share why they are thrilled they relocated to Tennessee.
4 Reasons to Move to Tennessee Right Now
This Southeastern state offers the perfect mix of affordability, quality of life, and more.
Tennessee: Where to Live Now
Top 25 Best Places to Live in the Southeast
Southern charm is at its finest in these 25 Southeastern cities.
These Are the Best Places To Retire in Tennessee
When you're ready to leave the 9-to-5 behind, the Retire Tennessee program helps current and prospective residents narrow down the best places to spend their second act.
Tennessee’s Innovative Solutions for Working Families
Tennessee tackles the child care crisis through partnerships to increase child care access and quality, providing innovative solutions for working families.
Education, Careers and Opportunity in Tennessee
Tennessee Infrastructure Assets Check Every Box
From interstates to airports to water access, Tennessee has strong options for companies moving products.
Tennessee Workforce Training Programs Power Economy
Programs fuel growth, keep state competitive and prepare students and adults for skilled jobs.
Nuclear Energy in Tennessee Enjoying a Renaissance
State is experiencing a powerful surge in nuclear investment, workforce development and next-generation technology.
Tennessee: Love Where You Live
50 Things You Didn’t Know About the Olympics
Can't make it to Milano Cortina for the Winter Games and have some serious FOMO? Us, too! Here are 50 things you might not know about the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
How Public Art is Shaping Chattanooga’s Cultural Identity
Discover how artist Alex Paul Loza and ArtsBuild use public art to celebrate diversity and inspire the community.
How Tennessee Supports Hispanic Entrepreneurs
Organizations work to help Hispanic entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses in Tennessee.
Data used on Livability.com is provided from the most recent release (November 2025) by Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS). Our LivScore is calculated in partnership with AGS. Sales tax sources: Sales Tax Clearinghouse, Tax Foundation, and State Revenue Departments. Local rates are population-weighted to account for municipal variations.

