Tennessee taxes · Why Tennessee

Zero taxes.
Zero compromises.

Pundits point to Texas and Florida. Smart money is quietly moving to Tennessee, and to WindRiver in particular.

Tennessee residents pay

State income tax

Inheritance / estate tax

Personal property tax

Hurricanes. Yes, really.

The case for Tennessee

Tennessee is the new Florida. They just haven’t noticed yet.

For decades, Florida and Texas have captured the imagination of tax-motivated Americans, and they’ve earned it. No state income tax is no state income tax, wherever you land. But the full picture is more nuanced, and increasingly, discerning buyers are doing that math. Tennessee wins it.

No state income tax, no inheritance tax, no personal property tax. Four genuine seasons without hurricanes, wildfires, or extreme summer heat. A lower cost of living than either Florida or Texas. Proximity to one of America’s most underrated mid-size cities in Knoxville. And a private lake and golf community that would make residents of both states envious.

Tennessee vs. Florida vs. Texas

The full picture

All three states eliminate state income tax. But weigh everything else that matters to a discerning buyer, and Tennessee stands apart.

State income tax

TennesseeNone

FloridaNone

TexasNone

Inheritance / estate tax

TennesseeNone

FloridaNone

TexasNone

Personal property tax

TennesseeNone

FloridaNone

TexasYes: vehicles, boats & business assets

Property tax rates

TennesseeLow: among the lowest in the Southeast

FloridaModerate, varies by county

TexasHigh: among the highest in the US

Hurricane risk

TennesseeNone

FloridaSignificant: coastal and inland

TexasCoastal exposure; Gulf storms

Summer climate

TennesseeWarm, temperate: four true seasons

FloridaHot & humid June–Sept

TexasExtreme heat; 100°F+ summers common

Cost of living

TennesseeLow: below the national average

FloridaRising rapidly, especially coastal

TexasModerate; Austin/Dallas elevated

World-class healthcare

TennesseeYes: UT Medical Center, 30 min

FloridaVaries by region

TexasVaries by region

Natural beauty

TennesseeSmokies, rolling hills, crystal lake

FloridaOcean, beaches, flat terrain

TexasHill Country; mostly flat

What it means in real dollars

Savings by state of origin

For residents relocating from high-tax states, the financial impact of moving to tax-free Tennessee is substantial. Here’s what it looks like for a household earning $250,000 per year in investment and retirement income.

California

$27,000+/yr

Top marginal state rate on $250K income

New York

$20,000+/yr

Combined state & city income tax on $250K

New Jersey

$22,000+/yr

One of the highest income tax burdens in the US

Illinois

$12,500+/yr

Flat 4.95% state income tax on $250K income

A 10-year picture · California to Tennessee

$270,000+

Cumulative savings over 10 years, before investment growth

Annual California state income tax (approx.)$27,000
Annual Tennessee state income tax$0
Annual savings$27,000
10-year cumulative savings$270,000+

Estimates are illustrative, based on approximate 2024 state tax rates at $250,000 of income. Individual results will vary. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

Beyond the tax advantages

Tennessee wins on every line

The taxes are the headline. But WindRiver residents will tell you the lifestyle is what keeps them here, and what makes them wonder why they waited so long.

Four genuine seasons

Spring wildflowers, summer on the lake, blazing fall color, mild winters. Eastern Tennessee delivers all four without the extremes. No heat index warnings, no hurricane season, no flood advisories.

The Smoky Mountains

One of the most visited national parks in America is in your backyard, with hiking, fly fishing, stunning fall foliage, and small-town mountain culture that Florida and Texas simply can’t replicate.

Knoxville, a city that surprises

Thirty minutes from WindRiver’s gate, Knoxville offers 21 museums, two theater companies, a vibrant food scene, the University of Tennessee, and a world-class medical center: big-city amenities without big-city costs or attitude.

Undervalued, for now

Tennessee hasn’t yet attracted the same attention as Florida or Texas among relocating buyers, which makes now the ideal time.

A lower cost of living

Groceries, dining, services, and real estate all run meaningfully below the national average. Your dollar goes further, especially when you’re no longer writing a check to the state every April.

Lock-and-leave simplicity

With McGhee Tyson Airport 30 minutes away and direct flights to major hubs, WindRiver works as both a full-time home and a primary residence for frequent travelers.

WindRiver owners figured this out early

The rest of the country is just starting to catch up.

or call 865-988-1864

A lakeside, master-planned community on Tellico Lake — championship golf, a full marina and 30 miles of trails, minutes from Knoxville.

Real Estate

Amenities

About

Zero taxes.Zero compromises.

Tennessee is the new Florida. They just haven’t noticed yet.

The full picture

State income tax

Inheritance / estate tax

Personal property tax

Property tax rates

Hurricane risk

Summer climate

Cost of living

World-class healthcare

Natural beauty

Savings by state of origin

Tennessee wins on every line

Four genuine seasons

The Smoky Mountains

Knoxville, a city that surprises

Undervalued, for now

A lower cost of living

Lock-and-leave simplicity

The rest of the country is just starting to catch up.

Zero taxes.
Zero compromises.