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Budget Analysts Salary in Tennessee: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Budget Analysts salary really buy you in Tennessee?

Tennessee is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$86,570
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$94,302
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Tennessee Cost of Living Index

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Budget Analysts earning $86,570 in Tennessee has the equivalent purchasing power of $94,302 in an average-cost US state.

TN: 91.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $63,920 $69,629 +$5,709
25th Percentile (P25) $76,400 $83,224 +$6,824
Median (P50) $86,570 $94,302 +$7,732
75th Percentile (P75) $108,010 $117,657 +$9,647
90th Percentile (P90) $133,280 $145,185 +$11,905
Key Insight

A Budget Analysts in Tennessee earns $86,570 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $94,302 in an average-cost state. This makes Tennessee one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Tennessee Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Budget Analysts, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Tennessee's RPP, the $86,570 median salary translates to $94,303 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Budget Analysts.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Tennessee

#11 / 51

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Budget Analysts, Tennessee places #11 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Budget Analysts (After Cost of Living)

Where does Budget Analysts salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alabama
$113,314
RPP 87.8
$106,852
RPP 116.6
$103,300
RPP 102.1
$103,244
RPP 93.4
$100,971
RPP 105.0
6. Ohio
$98,185
RPP 91.5
7. Iowa
$97,907
RPP 88.4
$96,000
RPP 91.0
9. Georgia
$95,897
RPP 95.8
10. Colorado
$94,916
RPP 102.3

Tennessee ranks #11 out of 51 states for Budget Analysts after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Budget Analysts take-home pay in Tennessee after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Budget Analysts in Tennessee after cost of living?

A Budget Analysts in Tennessee earns a median salary of $86,570 per year. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $94,302 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Tennessee expensive to live in?

Tennessee's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Tennessee is 91.8 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Budget Analysts in Tennessee: $86,570 x (100 / 91.8) = $94,302. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Budget Analysts in Tennessee financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Budget Analysts in Tennessee enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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