Tennessee and Texas both offer 0% state income tax, making them top destinations for tax-conscious relocators. The key differences lie in other taxes: Tennessee has the nation's highest combined sales tax (9.55%) but low property taxes (0.48%). Texas has lower sales tax (8.24%) but high property taxes (1.60%). For homeowners, Tennessee often comes out ahead; for renters with high spending, Texas may be better.

By CountryTaxCalc Research Team

Last Updated: March 2026

The Big Picture

🎸 Tennessee

0%

No Income Tax

Constitutional prohibition since 2014

🤠 Texas

0%

No Income Tax

Constitutional prohibition on income tax

Typical Annual Savings

At $100,000 income:

$0

That is Equal income tax back in your pocket!

Tax Savings by Income Level

IncomeTN TaxTX TaxSavings10-Year
$50,000 $0$0$0$0
$75,000 $0$0$0$0
$100,000 $0$0$0$0
$150,000 $0$0$0$0
$250,000 $0$0$0$0
$500,000 $0$0$0$0

Tennessee Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

  • 0% state income tax (constitutional)
  • Very low property tax (0.48%)
  • Lower housing costs than TX metros
  • No estate or inheritance tax

❌ Cons

  • Highest combined sales tax (9.55%)
  • Smaller job market than Texas
  • Limited major metro areas
  • Fewer corporate headquarters

Texas Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

  • 0% state income tax (constitutional)
  • Diverse major metros (Houston, Dallas, Austin)
  • Large job market
  • Lower sales tax than TN (8.24%)

❌ Cons

  • High property tax (1.60%)
  • Extreme summer heat
  • Rising housing costs in Austin
  • No cap on property value increases
💡

CountryTaxCalc.com is reader-supported. When you use our partner links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. This helps us provide free tax calculators and comparison tools. Learn more about our affiliate partnerships

Talk to a Real CPA

Taxhub

Moving from Tennessee to Texas? Multi-state returns are tricky—partial-year residency, different deadlines, avoiding double taxation. Get matched with a CPA who specializes in state moves. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.

Get Matched With a CPA →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which is cheaper overall, Tennessee or Texas?

For homeowners, Tennessee often wins. A $400K home costs ~$1,920/year in TN property tax vs ~$6,400 in TX—a $4,480 annual difference. Texas wins on sales tax (8.24% vs 9.55%), but you'd need to spend $340,000+ annually for TX sales tax savings to offset the property tax difference.

Q: Do both states have constitutional income tax bans?

Yes. Tennessee's constitution was amended in 2014 to prohibit income tax on wages (Article II, Section 28). Texas constitution (Article VIII, Section 24-a) requires voter approval for any income tax, which has never passed. Both provide strong long-term certainty.

Q: What about cost of living beyond taxes?

Tennessee generally has lower housing costs. Nashville median home: ~$450K. Austin: ~$550K. Houston: ~$350K. Dallas: ~$400K. Tennessee's lower property taxes amplify housing affordability. However, Texas has more diverse job markets in tech, energy, and healthcare.

Q: Which state is better for retirees?

Tennessee edges ahead for retirees. Neither taxes retirement income or Social Security. But Tennessee's 0.48% property tax saves retirees thousands annually on their home. Tennessee also has no estate tax. Both are in the top 10 most tax-friendly states for retirees.

Related Comparisons

TX vs NYTennessee CalculatorTexas Calculator