Tennessee
About 20,000 Californians moved to Tennessee in 2024, the number 10 destination out of California. Tennessee has no tax on wage income.
Home prices in Tennessee vs. LA
| City | Median sale price | $/sq ft | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical LA County zip | $904K | $588 | n/a |
| Nashville | $483K | $277 | 59 |
Redfin Data Center. Cities: May 2026, all residential. LA: median of LA County zip-code medians, Mar 2026 to May 2026.
Taxes
Tennessee has no tax on wage income. Tennessee fully phased out its former Hall tax on interest and dividends starting with tax year 2021. It has a relatively high sales tax, so day-to-day purchases cost a bit more. See the Tennessee revenue department for current rules.
Moving out of California generally doesn't take the sale of a California home out of California's tax reach. Our guide to selling your LA home and moving out of state covers withholding at closing, the capital gains exclusion and the questions to bring to a CPA.
Common questions
How many people move from California to Tennessee?
About 19,670 people (plus or minus 4,848) moved from California to Tennessee in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, the number 10 destination for people leaving California.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
Tennessee has no tax on wage income. California's top marginal rate is 13.3%. Confirm current rates with the Tennessee revenue department and a CPA.
What do homes cost in Tennessee compared with LA?
The typical Nashville home sold for about $483K (Redfin, May 2026), versus about $904K for a typical LA County zip code.
Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 state-to-state migration flows (people who lived in California one year earlier). Estimates have margins of error. Market figures: Redfin Data Center.