January 1, Tennessee Rises as Blue State Exodus Grows

Wyatt’s Take

• Tennessee rolls out the welcome mat for folks tired of high taxes and pricey living in blue states.
• The Volunteer State stands strong with no income tax, keeping more money in your pocket compared to places like California and New York.
• Leaders are proud of Tennessee’s roots and warn newcomers to leave failed policies behind.

Tennessee is drawing in families from blue states, offering them a better shot at holding on to their hard-earned cash.

“Tennessee is proof that freedom works, and what we’ve got going on here is doing us quite well. It’s bringing people from all over the country, especially when they’re fleeing socialist areas of the country,” says Tori Venable, state director at Americans for Prosperity.

The trend of people leaving California, New York, and other blue states continues to climb. Tennessee, alongside Florida and Texas, now tops the list as a landing place for these new arrivals. Net migration figures reveal California lost hundreds of thousands during and after the pandemic, while Tennessee gained 397,425 new residents from 2019 to 2024.

Venable highlights that Tennessee doesn’t collect an income tax. Unlike New York and California, people keep more of what they make. She said, “There’s a handful of us, but we also have our property taxes kept pretty well in check.” She points out that Tennessee’s property taxes beat those in Florida and Texas, and the sales-tax-only system shields the state finances during tough times.

The Volunteer State stands out for its taxpayer-friendly environment. No state income tax on wages, exemptions for Social Security and retirement income, and a low sales tax burden attract new residents and businesses alike.

Some worry that new arrivals might try to vote in the same high-tax, big-government policies they left behind. Venable acknowledges this, stating, “We do have blue holes in our red state, but we have a Republican super majority trifecta, which pretty much protects us from many of the bad ideas when we get the very liberal mayor of Nashville.”

She wraps up with a reminder, “So we encourage them to come, bring their families, enjoy what makes Tennessee great, but also leave the bad policies and bad ideas behind them and fully embrace what it is to be a Tennessean.”

If you’re thinking about making a move or want to see what a lower-tax life feels like, keep an eye on how states like Tennessee keep winning over families.

Wyatt Matters

When government lets people keep what they’ve earned, families and communities thrive. Tennesseans prove hard work and old-fashioned freedom still matter most in Middle America.

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