

Massachusetts vs Tennessee
Massachusetts comes out ahead of Tennessee on 474 of 767 statistics where one end is better, to 286 with 7 ties. Massachusetts leads on Health, Population and Education and 11 more categories. Tennessee leads on Agriculture and Travel.
767 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 7 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 474
- Avg. percentile
- 61
- Categories led
- 14
- Wins
- 286
- Avg. percentile
- 46
- Categories led
- 2
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | Massachusetts | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,169,608 16th of 51 | 7,378,861 15th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $103,960 2nd of 51 | $69,595 42nd of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4.5% tied 37th of 51 | 3.5% tied 15th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 10.0% 10th of 51 | 13.8% 39th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 105.8 45th of 51 | 91.9 14th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $71,629 4th of 51 | $58,582 25th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $85,610 2nd of 51 | $60,800 40th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $1,762 48th of 51 | $1,189 23rd of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 302.7 27th of 51 | 492.3 46th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 6,134 33rd of 48 | 3,753 14th of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- HealthMassachusetts · 173 statistics
- PopulationMassachusetts · 114 statistics
- AgricultureTennessee · 15 statistics
- EducationMassachusetts · 51 statistics
- Crime & SafetyMassachusetts · 73 statistics
- CultureMassachusetts · 78 statistics
- Tech & BusinessMassachusetts · 47 statistics
- EnvironmentMassachusetts · 39 statistics
- Facts & TriviaMassachusetts · 18 statistics
- LawMassachusetts · 63 statistics
- GeographyMassachusetts · 25 statistics
- EconomicsMassachusetts · 283 statistics
- TravelTennessee · 28 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyMassachusetts · 36 statistics
- SportsMassachusetts · 17 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentMassachusetts · 117 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | Massachusetts | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Livable Annual Wage w/ 3 ChildrenLiving Wage by State | $192,104 50th of 51 | $106,717 2nd of 51 |
| Livable Hourly Wage w/ 3 ChildrenLiving Wage by State | $92.36 50th of 51 | $51.31 2nd of 51 |
| Quality of LifeWorst States to Retire | 50th best of 50 | 3rd 3rd worst of 50 |
| Maternal Mortality Total Deaths (2019-2023)Maternal Mortality Rate by State | 14.4 3rd of 39 | 42.1 39th of 39 |
| Livable Wage w/ 2 Children (Annual)Living Wage by State | $159,222 51st of 51 | $89,542 4th of 51 |
| Livable Wage w/ 2 Children (Hourly)Living Wage by State | $76.55 51st of 51 | $43.05 4th of 51 |
| Insured DriversWorst Drivers by State | 96.5 2nd of 50 | 76.3 48th of 50 |
| Health Costs IndexCost of Living Index by State | 122.2 49th of 51 | 86.9 3rd of 51 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 152.1 49th of 51 | 72.1 3rd of 51 |
| AffordabilityWorst States to Retire | 4th 4th worst of 50 | 49th 2nd best of 50 |
| Health and Safety RelatedMost Stressed States | 49th 2nd best of 50 | 4th 4th worst of 50 |
| Students Enrolled In Home School per Capita RankBest States to Homeschool | 49th 49th of 50 | 4th 4th of 50 |
| Voted by TouristsFriendliest States | 47th 47th of 50 | 2nd 2nd of 50 |
| Disease Factors & Prevalence ScoreMost Unhealthy States in the U.S. | 2.86 1st of 49 | 84.11 45th of 49 |
| COLI Health Costs IndexLeast Expensive States | 125.7 50th of 51 | 88.6 5th of 51 |
| Livable Annual Wage w/ 1 ChildLiving Wage by State | $121,175 51st of 51 | $71,735 6th of 51 |
| Livable Hourly Wage w/ 1 ChildLiving Wage by State | $58.26 51st of 51 | $34.49 6th of 51 |
| LPN Annual MeanNurses Pay by State | $144,010 6th of 51 | $103,720 51st of 51 |
| LPN Annual MedianNurses Pay by State | $138,570 5th of 51 | $105,420 50th of 51 |
| LPN Hourly MeanNurses Pay by State | $69.24 6th of 51 | $49.86 51st of 51 |
| LPN Hourly MedianNurses Pay by State | $66.62 5th of 51 | $50.68 50th of 51 |
| Female Life Expectancy (HALE)Life Expectancy by State | 67.39 yrs 3rd of 51 | 62.56 yrs 48th of 51 |
| BBQ Restaurants Per Capita RankBest BBQ by State | 51st 50th of 50 | 6th 6th of 50 |
| Gun Deaths per 100kPolymer80 Legal States | 3.7 1st of 50 | 22.0 45th of 50 |
| Local Tax Burden Per CapitaHighest Taxed States | $9,405 46th of 50 | $4,036 2nd of 50 |
| Cost-Prohibited CareHealth Care Costs by State | 7.1% 3rd of 49 | 14.9% 46th of 49 |
| Lifestyle Habits & Health Outlook ScoreMost Unhealthy States in the U.S. | 4.58 3rd of 49 | 92.55 46th of 49 |
| Most Unhealthy States Total ScoreMost Unhealthy States in the U.S. | 17.02 4th of 49 | 94.39 47th of 49 |
| HPV Up-to-Date MaleVaccination Rates by State | 79.1% 2nd of 51 | 51.3% 46th of 51 |
| Male Life ExpectancyLife Expectancy by State | 78.41 3rd of 51 | 72.21 47th of 51 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Massachusetts or Tennessee?
- Massachusetts comes out ahead of Tennessee on 474 of 767 statistics where one end is better, to 286 with 7 ties. Massachusetts leads on Health, Population and Education and 11 more categories. Tennessee leads on Agriculture and Travel. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Massachusetts or Tennessee?
- Massachusetts has a population of 7,169,608 (16th of 51 US states) and Tennessee has 7,378,861 (15th of 51).
- How do Massachusetts and Tennessee compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Massachusetts $103,960 (2nd of 51), Tennessee $69,595 (42nd of 51) among US states. Massachusetts ranks better.
- How do Massachusetts and Tennessee compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): Massachusetts 4.5% (tied 37th of 51), Tennessee 3.5% (tied 15th of 51) among US states. Tennessee ranks better.
- Where does Massachusetts beat Tennessee most clearly?
- Massachusetts ranks far ahead on Quality of Life (Worst States to Retire): 50th vs 3rd; Maternal Mortality Total Deaths (2019-2023) (Maternal Mortality Rate by State): 14.4 vs 42.1; Insured Drivers (Worst Drivers by State): 96.5 vs 76.3.
- Where does Tennessee beat Massachusetts most clearly?
- Tennessee ranks far ahead on Livable Annual Wage w/ 3 Children (Living Wage by State): $106,717 vs $192,104; Livable Hourly Wage w/ 3 Children (Living Wage by State): $51.31 vs $92.36; Livable Wage w/ 2 Children (Annual) (Living Wage by State): $89,542 vs $159,222.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Massachusetts or Tennessee.
- Alabama vs Massachusetts
- Alaska vs Massachusetts
- Arizona vs Massachusetts
- Arkansas vs Massachusetts
- California vs Massachusetts
- Colorado vs Massachusetts
- Connecticut vs Massachusetts
- Delaware vs Massachusetts
- Alabama vs Tennessee
- Alaska vs Tennessee
- Arizona vs Tennessee
- Arkansas vs Tennessee
- California vs Tennessee
- Colorado vs Tennessee
- Connecticut vs Tennessee
- Delaware vs Tennessee