Trucking Jobs: Texas vs Tennessee
Side-by-side comparison of salaries, cost of living, taxes, job availability, freight routes, and CDL requirements for truck drivers.
Higher Pay
Texas
Lower COL
Tennessee
More Jobs
Texas
Lower Tax
Comparable
Salary Comparison
Texas wins| Metric | Texas | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Range | $50,000 - $80,000 | $48,000 - $74,000 |
| Minimum | $50,000 | $48,000 |
| Maximum | $80,000 | $74,000 |
Cost of Living & Taxes
Tennessee wins| Metric | Texas | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| COL Index (100 = national avg) | 92 | 90 |
| State Income Tax | None | None |
Tax advantage: Both Texas and Tennessee have no state income tax on wages, making both states attractive for maximizing take-home pay.
Job Availability
Texas wins| Metric | Texas | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Job Availability Rating | Very High | High |
| Est. Annual CDL Openings | 28,500 | 10,800 |
Top Trucking Companies
Texas
- 1Werner Enterprises
- 2Heartland Express
- 3Prime Inc
- 4USA Truck
- 5KLLM Transport
Tennessee
- 1FedEx (HQ Memphis)
- 2Averitt Express
- 3Forward Air
- 4Western Express
- 5Covenant Transport
Key Freight Routes
Texas
- I-35 (Laredo–Dallas–OKC)
- I-10 (El Paso–Houston)
- I-45 (Dallas–Houston)
- I-20 (West TX–Dallas)
Tennessee
- I-40 (Memphis–Nashville–Knoxville)
- I-24 (Nashville–Chattanooga)
- I-65 (Nashville–KY/AL)
- I-81 (Knoxville–VA)
CDL Requirements
Texas
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Texas allows third-party CDL testing through licensed schools.
Tennessee
Min Age: 18 (intrastate), 21 (interstate)
18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate. Tennessee Department of Safety administers CDL testing.
Weather & Driving Conditions
Texas
Weather
Hot summers (100 F+), mild winters in south, ice storms possible in north TX panhandle.
Driving Challenges
Extreme heat, long distances between cities, wind gusts on I-10 west of San Antonio, construction zones on I-35.
Tennessee
Weather
Mild to moderate winters with occasional ice. Hot humid summers. Mountain fog in east TN.
Driving Challenges
I-40 mountain grades near Knoxville, Nashville metro congestion, Memphis intermodal yard traffic, ice on I-24.
Overall Comparison Summary
Higher Pay
TX
Lower COL
TN
More Jobs
TX
Lower Tax
Tie
Texas leads in 2 of 4 categories. However, the best state for you depends on your specific situation—freight specialization, family location, and career goals all matter.
Frequently Asked Questions: Texas vs Tennessee
Which no-tax state is better for trucking, Texas or Tennessee?
Both have no income tax. Texas has far more openings (28,500 vs 10,800), slightly higher pay ($50K–$80K vs $48K–$74K), and a similar cost of living (92 vs 90). Tennessee's advantage is its central eastern US location—Memphis is within a day's drive of 60% of the US population. Texas wins on scale; Tennessee wins on geographic efficiency.
How does Memphis compare to Dallas as a freight hub?
Dallas-Fort Worth is the larger overall freight market with more diverse freight types (cross-border, oil/gas, agricultural). Memphis is the #1 air freight hub in the US (FedEx SuperHub) and a top intermodal city. For trucking specifically, DFW generates more truckload demand. For logistics careers broadly, both are elite hubs.
What are the main freight lanes between Texas and Tennessee?
I-40 connects Memphis to Little Rock and on to Dallas (6.5 hours). I-30 links Dallas to Little Rock, connecting to I-40 east. I-20 provides a southern alternative through Shreveport. The TX-TN lane carries consumer goods, automotive parts, e-commerce fulfillment, and food products. It's a high-volume, consistent lane.
Explore Each State
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