Here's How Much Money You Need To Make To Be 'Happy' In Tennessee

By Sarah Tate

July 13, 2022

Photo: Getty Images

With the cost of goods and services skyrocketing across the country and many workers struggling to stay afloat as their income fails to match inflation, some states have a higher cost of living than others that many residents can't afford to match.

A recent study by Purdue published in the Nature Human Behaviour journal highlights how income affects emotional satisfaction. According to the study's authors, "Globally, we find that satiation occurs at $95,000 for life evaluation and $60,000 to $75,000 for emotional well-being."

To determine how much money would be needed in each state for someone to be "happy," GOBankingRates evaluated every state's cost of living compared to the national benchmark of $105,000. While the numbers may reach into the low six-figure range for some states, the site acknowledges that "happiness" can vary from person to person.

So how much money do you need to make in Tennessee to be happy?

$93,450

According to the report, in order to have a comfortable life free of the worries of money-related stress, you need to nearly have a six-figure income. The Volunteer State's overall average falls about $10k short of the national benchmark of $105,000.

Here's what GOBanking Rates had to say:

"Tennessee's cost of living is 11% below the national average, but its crime rates are higher — potentially making happiness that much harder to attain. The state sees 6.70 crimes and 24.84 property crimes per 1,000 residents."

Check out the full report here to see how much money you need to make to be "happy" in each state.

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