Living in any state comes with pros and cons. Humid and buggy summers and severe weather risks are a couple of reasons some people end up regretting a move to

Tennessee

Tennessee might be home to Music City, but some aspects of living here aren’t music to everyone’s ears. While there’s plenty to like about living in a state with mild winters, gorgeous natural scenery, and no income taxes, certain factors make Tennessee less appealing for some.

Here to give you the rundown on some of the cons that can come with living in Tennessee is

Jerry, the

trustworthy broker app

that makes it easy to find affordable

car

and

home insurance

. Without further ado, here’s a look at six reasons some people regret moving to the Volunteer State.

Are you getting ripped off on your car insurance? Find out in less than two minutes.

No long forms · No spam · No fees

Find insurance savings

4.7/5 Rating on App Store

1. Tennessee’s weather isn’t for everyone

Sure, the fact that much of Tennessee falls under a humid, subtropical climate means you can count on mild winters without too much snowfall unless you're in the Appalachians. Tennessee still gets freezing rain during winter, which can make driving conditions hectic and bring traffic to a standstill.

At the same time, living in Tennessee means you’re also signing up for its hot, humid summers—which, for some, can be downright uncomfortable. High temperatures can extend into the 90s, but with an average relative humidity level of about 69%, it can often feel much hotter.

Consider instead: Vermont

If Tennessee weather has you longing for cold, snowy winters, consider relocating to

Vermont

, which has the highest average annual snowfall amount out of any state at about 89 inches! When summer rolls around, average highs range from the high 70s to 80s, a bit lower than Tennessee, and you’ll also get to witness idyllic scenes as Vermont’s forests transition into autumn.

MORE:

The best ghost towns to visit in Tennessee

2. The natural disaster risk can be costly

There are Tennessee’s average weather conditions, and then there are the severe weather risks that come with living in the state.

Tennessee is part of Dixie Alley, which is basically the South’s version of Tornado Alley. According to the National Weather Service, Tennessee experienced at least 67 confirmed tornadoes in 2021 and 35 in 2020.

Not only can Tennessee experience tornadoes, but there’s also a particular risk for

nighttime tornadoes

, which can be even more dangerous since they’re harder to notice and prepare for. One possibility for why this is could be the state’s humidity levels that extend into the evening, making it easier for storm systems to form.

While Tennessee may not get the brunt of most hurricanes, residents can still experience the waning, but still-strong rains and winds as they move farther inland. There’s also the possibility of severe thunderstorms and flooding.

All severe weather aspects considered, Tennessee experienced six different climate disasters over the course of 2021 whose damage costs exceeded a billion dollars. So, if you’re currently living in Tennessee, it’s probably a good idea to have a severe storm emergency kit on hand—and review your

car and home insurance policy

details!

Consider instead: Montana

While there isn’t a single state that never gets natural disasters, and while the northwest portion of the state can be susceptible to wildfires, Montana has some of the lowest risks for different types of natural disasters among U.S. states.

MORE:Homeowners insurance in Tennessee

3. Traffic can be a nightmare

This is often the case in any large city, and in Tennessee’s largest cities, it’s no different: traffic can be the worst. While some cities might have it worse,

Nashville

drivers still spend an average of 16 hours stuck in traffic annually, and in

Memphis

, the average is 32 hours.

Audiobooks and podcasts can help you pass that time, but even so, losing all those hours in traffic can become frustrating after a certain amount of time.

Consider instead: Montana

If you’re looking to spend less time in traffic,

Montana

has some of the lowest traffic congestion rates in the country. On top of this, its roads and other infrastructure are considered to be in good condition overall, especially when compared with other states.

MORE:

How bad is Knoxville traffic?

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

4. The insects might bug you

As is the case for most Southern states, Tennessee’s warm, humid weather creates conditions that are ideal for all kinds of bugs—including the pests that can wreak havoc on your home or pose dangers to your health.

In Tennessee, you could come into contact with ticks, cockroaches, and plenty of mosquitoes, to name just a select few.

Sure, the state’s many different spider species could help you with your home’s bug problems—but watch out for poisonous varieties, like the black widow or the brown recluse.

Consider instead: North Dakota or Colorado

Unfortunately, there’s no escaping insects or arachnids, but you can experience less of them if you head for cooler, drier pastures.

North Dakota

and

Colorado

are two states that have relatively low humidity levels and cold winters that can help keep tiny pest populations in check.

MORE:Moving companies in Nashville

5. Lower costs of living often mean lower salaries

One of the aspects of living in Tennessee that can be appealing is a cost of living that’s significantly below the national average. Depending on your sector, however, this could also mean you could be earning a lower income than you might be able to find in another state.

According to 2020 census data, the median household income for Tennessee residents was $54,833, compared to $64,994 nationally.

Tennessee’s minimum wage also hasn’t budged in years and remains at the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, but based on data from MIT’s

Living Wage Calculator

, a single adult would need to earn at least $15.45 per hour to live comfortably.

Consider instead: Colorado

If you’re looking for better job prospects, Colorado currently has one of the healthiest job markets in the country. While the overall cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, its median household income is also higher: $75,231, as of the 2020 census.

The state’s minimum wage is still shy of the recommended $19.16 per hour to cover living expenses, but it is comparatively closer to the mark than Tennessee and many other states. Colorado’s state minimum wage is $12.56per hour. In

Denver

, the local minimum wage is $15.87 per hour, and in 2023, it’s set to increase to $17.29per hour.

MORE:How high is the cost of living in Tennessee?

6. Country music isn’t everyone’s cup of tea

A lot of people love country music, but it’s not music to everyone’s ears, and it tends to elicit strong opinions on both sides of the aisle.

Tennessee’s home to

Nashville

, also known as “Music City.” Plenty of musical genres reside here, and the music scene isn’t only confined to country, but it is still the major hub for the genre, so if you’re someone who can’t stand country music, it’s going to be hard to get away from it.

Consider instead: California or New York

If you still want to be immersed in a vibrant music scene in a place that has plenty of arts, culture, and entertainment options to experience, look into relocating to California or New York. As a third option, the live music scene in

Austin

also makes

Texas

a strong contender.

MORE:

How to find car and home insurance quotes online

How to save on car insurance in Tennessee

Whether you’re thinking about moving to Tennessee, processing your qualms with living here, or planning your escape to a new state,

Jerry

has something to offer that can make your day-to-day life in any state a little easier: a quick and easy way to find affordable

car insurance

With the Jerry app, it takes less than a minute to answer a few quick questions. From there, we’ll gather customized quotes from up to top insurance providers based on your unique driver profile.

This makes it easier than ever to find the amount of coverage you’re looking for at the best available rate. And since Jerry is a

licensed insurance broker

, you can trust the quotes you’re seeing are legit.

The best part? After making a switch, the average Jerry user saves over $800 per year on their car insurance!

“
Jerry
was wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.

RECOMMENDED