It’s no secret that a lot of people are moving to Tennessee. Nashville and surrounding areas of Middle Tennessee have seen a tremendous boom in the housing market. Many of these people are coming from other states that have a much higher financial burden. California is one state that has many residents crossing the country to come to Tennessee. So why is that? Why are people moving to Tennessee from California? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons!
No State Income Tax
Tennessee is one of very few states that does not have a state income tax. Every now and then it pops up as a suggestion but instead of a state income tax we have a higher sales tax. If you look at the widest income bracket ( $52,612.00 and $268,750.00 ) in California you will see that Californians would pay 9.3% of their income in this price range plus an additional
$2,316.43 based on the lower tax brackets. At the low end that would be a total of $7,209.35 and at the high end would be $27,310.18.
If you take the $7209.35 and apply that to your monthly house payment that becomes and extra $600.78 you can pay. On the high end that becomes $2,275.85 which for a lot of Tennessee homes is the entire house payment, property taxes, and insurance! You need to consult your tax accountant to find out what you would save as the Federal Taxes may be adjusted as well.
Think about how much house can you afford now that you can keep more of your own money!
Lower Home Prices
In many areas of California people are paying a huge amount of money for houses. I helped some clients a year and a half ago purchase land here in Tennessee to build a house on. They had a home in California to sell. It was a ranch home of moderate size (less that 2000 SQFT) and it sold for around $1.2 Million. $1.2 Million dollars is a lot of money here in Tennessee to spend on a house. You would pay considerably less for the exact same SQFT home in Tennessee.
Here’s a look at what you could afford for $1 Million to $1.2 Million in Tennessee.

Living in Tennessee
High Quality of Life in Tennessee
Depending on where you live in Tennessee the quality of life can be very high. We have a number of great hospitals, schools, shopping, and other important factors people investigate when moving to a new state.
State and city parks are plentiful. Our rural nature is still present in many cities and towns with farmers markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), and Farm to Table restaurants. Tennessee even has a number of vineyards that support agri-tourism.
Professional sports have been big over the last several years with the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. We also have something no one else can lay claim to : country music! Nashville isn’t called Music City for nothing!
The Tennessee Climate
Tennessee has seen a growing population of retirees which I believe is partially due to the climate. The winter temperatures are rarely severe and tend to stay in the 40’s for most of the winter. Snowfall is minimal with 2-3 events per year. Typically snow events in Tennessee last for a day and the roads are clear 24 hours later. Even in the winter we can have mild days reaching the 60’s and higher.
Our summers can be hot and humid but spring and fall are breathtaking! A ride though the Upper Cumberland area of Tennessee in the Spring will find all sorts of blooming trees coloring the landscape. In the fall the leaves in the Smokies can’t be beat! Check out Cades Cove for a fun day in the Smokies in the fall.
Moving to Tennessee
If you are considering moving to Tennessee within the next year or so give me a call and find out more. As a realtor in the southern Middle Tennessee area I enjoy sharing and researching information for my clients. Also consider scheduling a trip here to find out more about the area and why moving to Tennessee might be perfect for you!
For Middle TN Real Estate Contact Dave Townsend, Realtor® TriStar Elite Realty
This content is currently unavailable. Please check back later or contact the site's support team for more information.
Latest Articles
600 Fleming St Columbia, TN – Home for Sale in Riverside!
Are you looking for a project with deep roots and massive potential? Welcome to 600 Fleming St in the heart of Columbia’s historic and revitalizing Riverside community. This 1,270 sq. ft. cottage home is more than just a listing; it’s a rare opportunity to own…
50 Year Mortgages, Do They Really Make Sense?
Recently President Trump floated the idea of 50 year mortgages to help with the housing affordability crisis. On the surface you might look at that idea and think well it would lower the payment amount and may make it a little easier to afford a…
Spring Hill TN Homes for Sale Under $500K!
Are you looking for a great home in Spring Hill, TN that is under $500,000? Here are a few options to help you with your home search. Click on any of the listings below for more details on the home. Please contact me to schedule…
The Golden Rule: Simple Advice for Working with Home Builders (From an Experienced Realtor)
As a Realtor in Middle Tennessee, I’ve spent over nine years working closely with new construction builders—both on the sales side and for my own buyer clients. After all those experiences, I’ve learned one absolutely critical truth: the relationship you build with your builder is…
The Landing at Greens Mill (Columbia TN off of Greens Mill Rd)
Welcome to The Landing at Greens Mill Rd. This neighborhood is located on the north side of Maury County off of Greens Mill Rd. It has east access to the unincorporated town of Neapolis as well as quick travel to Spring Hill (6 minutes) or…
1000 Peyton Place Columbia, TN 38401 – The Estates at Prince Farms
Welcome to 1000 Peyton Place Columbia, TN! This home greets you as you enter The Estates at Prince Farms. The Estates at Prince Farms, when completed, has 28 total homes all on 1 acre lots. All homes in the development are being constructed by the…

