Prompted and edited by Bill.

Tennessee is regularly rated as one of, if not THE best states to retire in. No state income tax. There's no ocean nearby but eastern TN has mountains (and bears), while the rest is mostly hilly. Memphis is a hellhole (government housing projects make up half of that city), and Nashville always has a Democrat mayor, but it's a big state and mostly conservative.

Here's what Copilot AI says about it:

Tennessee consistently ranks near the top for retirement because it combines low costs, mild climate, and high lifestyle value in a way very few states manage — and it does so without the downsides that plague other "tax‑friendly" states.

Below is a breakdown of why Tennessee keeps showing up as one of the best retirement states beyond the "no state income tax" headline.

Exceptionally Low Cost of Living

  • Housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation all sit below the national average.
  • Even though Tennessee home prices have risen, they remain lower than Florida or Arizona, two of the most popular retirement states.
  • Retirees get more square footage, more land, and more breathing room for their dollar.

This is one of the biggest reasons retirees from high‑cost states (CA, NY, IL, FL) keep migrating here.

Mild, Four‑Season Climate Without the Extremes

Retirees often want:

  • No brutal winters [but there's always at least ONE brutal week]
  • No desert heat
  • No hurricane corridor [but is now on the trailing edge of "tornado alley"]

Tennessee hits the sweet spot: long shoulder seasons, gentle winters, warm summers, and no coastal storm risk. This "Goldilocks climate" is a major draw.

Natural Beauty + Outdoor Lifestyle

Tennessee offers:

  • The Great Smoky Mountains
  • Dozens of lakes and rivers
  • Rolling hills, forests, and scenic drives

This gives retirees year‑round access to hiking, fishing, boating, and low‑impact outdoor recreation. It's a lifestyle advantage that shows up repeatedly in retirement rankings.

Rich Culture Without Big‑City Chaos

Retirees get access to:

  • Nashville's music, food, and arts
  • Knoxville's college‑town energy
  • Chattanooga's outdoor culture
  • Memphis's blues and barbecue

But they can live in small towns nearby — avoiding big‑city crime, taxes, and congestion while still enjoying the amenities.

Abundance of Retirement‑Friendly Towns

Tennessee has dozens of small and mid‑sized towns that score well for:

  • Safety
  • Affordability
  • Healthcare access
  • Community engagement
  • Outdoor recreation

U.S. News ranks 859 Tennessee cities for retirement quality, with places like Johnson City, Hendersonville, Morristown, and Franklin consistently scoring high.

This density of "good options" is rare — most states have only a handful.

Solid Healthcare Access (Especially in East & Middle TN)

Tennessee's healthcare system is stronger than many Southern states, with:

  • Major hospital networks in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga
  • Strong regional medical centers in Johnson City and Cookeville
  • A growing number of retirement‑oriented clinics and specialists

This matters enormously for retirees and is a major factor in rankings.

Community + Social Fit

AARP highlights the "Three Cs" that retirees look for: cost, community, climate — and Tennessee scores high on all three.

Retirees consistently report:

  • Friendly, welcoming culture
  • Strong church and civic communities
  • Slower pace of life
  • A sense of safety and belonging

This is a lifestyle advantage that's hard to quantify but shows up in surveys.

Central Location Without the Midwest Winters

Tennessee sits within a day's drive of:

  • The Midwest
  • The Southeast
  • The Mid‑Atlantic

Retirees with family spread across states love this. It's accessible without being crowded.

Overall Affordability + Stability

A 2025 MONEY study ranks Tennessee among the most affordable states for retirees, citing:

  • Low taxes
  • Low cost of living
  • Lower housing costs than other retirement hotspots
  • Financial stability for fixed‑income households

This combination is rare — many "cheap" states have poor healthcare or harsh climates; many "nice" states are expensive. Tennessee threads the needle.

Bottom Line

Tennessee isn't just "no income tax."
It's the best overall value proposition for retirees who want:

  • Low costs
  • Mild climate
  • Natural beauty
  • Strong healthcare
  • Safe, friendly small towns
  • Access to culture without big‑city headaches

That's why it keeps landing near the top of retirement rankings — and why people who research multiple states (like the AARP case study retiree) often end up choosing Tennessee.