Perhaps you are considering moving to Tennessee and are curious of the pros and cons of living in Tennessee. Or maybe you are just curious about what life is like in Tennessee, in general.

There are many things to be considered when moving to Tennessee. Read on to find out 12 pros and cons of Tennessee.

6 Pros of Tennessee

Depending on what you are looking for when considering your relocation, Tennessee has various pros for different circumstances. Read on to find out individual details about these pros.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Tennessee is perhaps one of the biggest factors encouraging people to relocate to the state. In fact, Tennessee is among the top 10 states for the lowest cost of living.

Low property taxes and having no state income tax are major contributors to the low cost of living seen in Tennessee. Additionally, there are relatively low real estate prices, and daily living expenses are lower than the national average.

If you look at the cost of living in bigger, more urban cities as compared to the smaller, rural cities, expenses will be higher. However, even in bigger cities, the cost of living is relatively cheaper compared to the cost of living in other states.

Education Opportunities

Tennessee has among the best free programs offered to encourage people to attend higher education. These programs are called Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect.

Tennessee Promise is a scholarship and mentoring program that helps recent high school graduates navigate through college life. This scholarship and the Tennessee Reconnect Grant are last-dollar aid, which simply means these programs will cover any remaining balance not covered by other state and federal financial aid for those who are eligible.

The Tennessee Reconnect Grant is applicable to eligible adults who are Tennessee residents. Both programs have eligibility requirements and an application process that includes applying to the FAFSA. Along with these education opportunities, there are plenty of recreational opportunities Tennessee has to offer.

Recreational Opportunities

Tennessee offers vast opportunities for recreational purposes, including being home to 56 state parks.

Within these state parks, there are trails totaling 1100 miles, there are at least 372 cabins and 36 campgrounds in which to stay. Tennessee is also home to over 80 beautiful waterfalls.Tennessee does not just have state parks to hike at and waterfalls/other scenery to view, however. 

There is plenty of outdoor activities to participate in, which includes the following:

Along with nature, the cities have a kind of beauty to them with plenty of additional activities, including music.

Popular Music

Tennessee is a major hot spot for country music. In fact, Nashville, Tennessee is known as the capital for country music.

The Country Music Hall of Fame is located in Nashville, Tennessee. Additionally, some of the most influential country music stars originated from Nashville, including Hank Williams. However, when talking about music in general, Nashville is the second biggest per capita market for concerts of various genres.

There are not just concerts to attend in Tennessee, but there are also attractions based on famous music stars, including Elvis Presley’s Graceland and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood.

Fairs and Festivals

Tennessee is home to the CMA Music Festival.

However, Tennessee offers a wide variety of fairs and festivals that are sure to please anyone, including:

  • Music festivals of various genres
  • Food festivals of various types
  • Whiskey/wine/brew festivals
  • Seasonal festivals
  • History festivals
  • Art festivals
  • Outdoor market festivals

Since there are so many types of festivals offered, there is surely a festival or two that will catch your eye and make living in Tennessee quite the adventure!

Winter Climate/Weather

Tennessee experiences a change in weather for all four seasons. This includes a cool Spring and Fall, a hot Summer, and a cold Winter.

Though it does get cold during the Winter, Tennessee has especially milder winters when compared to other states that get hit with harsh weather during the winter months. In fact, the average winter temperature in Tennessee is about 40 degrees.

It is important to know, however, that the temperature will vary across the state. Northeastern Tennessee typically experiences a colder winter with more snowfall compared to the rest of the state. Keep reading for the cons of Tennessee.

6 Cons of Tennessee

There may be plenty of pros that make Tennessee seem like an amazing place to relocate. However, there are plenty of cons to consider when relocating to Tennessee, as well. Read on to find out individual details about these cons.

Sumer Climate/Weather

Though Tennessee experiences relatively mild winters, the weather makes up for it during the summertime. The average temperature varies between 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit across the state.

The high temperature is not so much the problem as it is not as high as some other states experience during the summer months. The biggest problem making summertime downright atrocious at times is the humidity, making the hot feel hotter and sticky.

The average rate of humidity in Tennessee is 70%, which may not be all that bad by itself. However, the average heat mixed with an average rate of humidity makes for rough, uncomfortable summers.

Severe Weather

Though tornadoes happen at a much less rate than in those states that are located in “Tornado Alley,” tornadoes and other severe weather, especially thunderstorms, are a concern in Tennessee.

Tennessee can have a lot of severe thunderstorms. Additionally, certain areas of the state can experience ice storms more often than snowstorms. These thunderstorms and ice storms make it so homeowners need to ensure they have good insurance for the damages that can happen.

Thunderstorms can be beautiful, but also dangerous. Ice storms can be incredibly damaging to roads, vehicles, homes, and businesses. When considering relocating to Tennessee, these weather conditions are important factors to keep in mind.

Exclusion

One of the things that can draw people into their neighborhoods in Tennessee is the charm. It is not only the scenery and beauty of nature that adds to the charm, but generally the people are seen to have a friendly charm about them.

Generally, the friendly charm seen in the people in Tennessee are mostly superficial. Though they may outwardly seem friendly, mostly the people in Tennessee stick with their own groups and that can make it difficult for those who have relocated to Tennessee to feel included. In fact, those who are new to Tennessee can begin to feel like outsiders.

This is not to say this happens in every case. There are some amazing, kind people in Tennessee and it is possible to make friends. However, it can be daunting and difficult once the newness of living in Tennessee begins to wear off.

Crime Rate

Every state has its share of crime. It is unavoidable no matter where you live. However, when considering relocating to Tennessee, it is important to educate yourself on the specific city you are considering and their individual crime rate because some cities in Tennessee have even had an uptick in gang violence.

Gun violence is especially prevalent in Tennessee. Unfortunately, Memphis, TN has ranked as the most dangerous city not only in Tennessee, but in the United States as a whole. Memphis has an increasingly high homicide rate. In 2020, Memphis experienced 327 homicides.

Memphis likely has such a high crime rate due to its high poverty rate and low entertainment/attraction opportunities available. In addition to violent crime, there are cities in Tennessee that experience high drug-related crimes.

Minimum Wage

Though the cost of living in Tennessee is relatively low, so is the minimum wage, which has not gone up since 2009 when it was mandated.

Tennessee does not have a minimum wage law, meaning Tennessee, at this time, does not establish a minimum wage and instead applies the federal minimum wage rate. Tennessee also does not have any exemptions for certain categories, such as employees who earn tips or full-time students.

There are movements and discussions happening within the Tennessee government over the idea of raising the minimum wage, but as of right now, nothing has been passed. As it is now, statistics show Tennessee has the highest percentage of minimum wage workers within all of the United States.

Population Growth

The growth of the population within Tennessee in itself may not be a bad thing. Afterall, the higher population means Tennessee is getting put more on the map, and this also means an expansion and spread of various ideas, beliefs, customs, and religions. However, it can also be a major con.

The biggest issue with population growth may be overcrowding. This is not to say that Tennessee itself is overcrowded, but it can feel that way at times. The problem is with population booming, city officials cannot always keep up, which leads to roads that were not made for such dense traffic.

Though every state can struggle with traffic build up, this is a con of living in Tennessee. This is also something that does not just apply to bigger cities as the smaller, rural cities have also experienced this drawback, as well.

The Wrap Up

The bottom line? Tennessee has a rich history, as well as positive and negative attributes, that simply cannot be ignored. Known as “The Volunteer State,” Tennessee has plenty of pros and cons to weigh out when considering moving to the state.