Quick answer
Tennessee has lower average 1BR rent ($1,238/mo vs $2,100/mo). State income tax: Tennessee (None) vs Hawaii (11% (top)) — on a $120K salary that's $8,400/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Hawaii vs Tennessee
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Hawaii vs Tennessee at a Glance
| Metric | Hawaii | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $2,100 | $1,238 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $875K | $304K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Memphis ($980) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Nashville ($1,520) |
| State income tax | 11% (top) | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 64/100 ✓ | 35/100 |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 4 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Tennessee (None).
Salary $80K
$5,600
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $120K
$8,400
/year saved in Tennessee
Salary $200K
$14,000
/year saved in Tennessee
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Hawaii (HI)
Tax reality
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Groceries cost 40–60% more than mainland USA. A gallon of milk runs $8–10 in Honolulu.
- ✕Housing median price $1.1M on Oahu (2024). Rental vacancy below 2%—nearly impossible to find apartments.
- ✕Limited job market outside tourism, military, and government. Career mobility requires leaving.
Tennessee (TN)
Tax reality
Tennessee has no state income tax on W-2 wages or investment income. Sales tax is 7% state + local, totaling 9.25-9.75% in most metros — one of the highest sales tax rates in the US. No estate tax. Property tax is low (~0.7% effective in Nashville, lower in rural areas).
Top cities (4 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Sales tax 9.25%+ is punishing. Every purchase stings — gas, groceries (yes, groceries are taxed here), and retail.
- ✕Nashville traffic has become very bad as the metro has grown. I-24 and I-65 corridor are regularly backed up; the state has underinvested in transit.
- ✕Summers are humid subtropical — regular 90°F + 75% humidity from June through September, and thunderstorm season can be intense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii or Tennessee cheaper to live in?
Tennessee has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,238/mo vs $2,100/mo in Hawaii, a $862/mo difference. Home prices: Tennessee median is $304K vs $875K.
Hawaii vs Tennessee: which has lower state income tax?
Tennessee has lower state income tax (None) vs 11% (top) in Hawaii. On an $80K salary that's $5,600/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $14,000/year.
Should I move from Hawaii to Tennessee?
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
What are the best cities in Hawaii vs Tennessee?
Hawaii's largest metros include Honolulu. Tennessee's largest metros include Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Hawaii suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.