Tennessee families must earn 85%-164% more than federal poverty limit to get by, new study finds

By: Anita Wadhwani

Outlets: Tennessee Lookout

Published: September 15, 2026

Words: 243

Last Updated: 3 days, 7 hours ago

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The income a Tennessee family needs to pay for necessities such as food, housing and childcare far surpassed the federal poverty threshold, according to an analysis by The Sycamore Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.

The analysis found that basic necessities in Tennessee cost significantly more than those living at the poverty line can afford. The poverty threshold is a metric set by the federal government to establish a minimum “survival budget.” It often forms the …

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