Cost of owning a dog in Tennessee
Services in Tennessee are priced at 95.1% of the US level (BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024) — below the national average, so service-heavy costs come in a little lighter than the US figure. Food, gear and medication bought online cost the same everywhere, so the difference lands on the vet, groomer, kennel and insurer.
| Category | per year | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Food & treats929 kcal/day × $1.42 per 1,000 kcal + 30% treats | $625 | 24% |
| Vet & preventive1 exam, core vaccines, heartworm test, dental every 3 yrs, 12 months of parasite prevention | $776 | 30% |
| InsuranceAccident & illness plan, US average, adjusted for state | $795 | 31% |
| GroomingHome grooming: brush, clippers, shampoo | $24 | 1% |
| Supplies & gearReplacement toys, waste bags, treats | $58 | 2% |
| Training & boardingUS average yearly boarding spend, adjusted for state | $306 | 12% |
Where Tennessee sits
| Services price level | 95.1 |
| Rank among 51 (1 = cheapest) | #6 |
| All-items price level | 91.9 |
| Goods price level | 96.2 |
| Housing rents level | 79.1 |
100 = US average. We apply the "services: other" component to vet care, salon grooming, boarding and insurance; goods and rents are shown for context only.
Source · U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · Updated 2026-09-21
Similar price level
Popular breeds priced for Tennessee
Typical yearly cost for an adult, standard kibble, accident & illness insurance, salon grooming for coats that need clipping. Open a breed to adjust.
| Breed | Per year | First year | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| French BulldogAKC #1 · small | $2,460 | $3,395 | $25,380 |
| Labrador RetrieverAKC #2 · large | $3,199 | $4,181 | $42,257 |
| Golden RetrieverAKC #3 · large | $2,926 | $3,908 | $40,255 |
| German Shepherd DogAKC #4 · large | $3,217 | $4,199 | $36,905 |
| DachshundAKC #5 · small | $2,448 | $3,383 | $34,221 |
| Miniature PoodleAKC #6 · small | $2,736 | $3,671 | $40,283 |
| Standard PoodleAKC #6 · large | $3,618 | $4,600 | $51,838 |
| Toy PoodleAKC #6 · toy | $2,577 | $3,512 | $38,267 |
| BeagleAKC #7 · small | $2,480 | $3,415 | $32,552 |
| RottweilerAKC #8 · giant | $3,306 | $4,313 | $36,248 |
| German Shorthaired PointerAKC #9 · large | $3,060 | $4,042 | $41,543 |
| BulldogAKC #10 · medium | $2,688 | $3,625 | $27,557 |
| Cane CorsoAKC #11 · giant | $3,449 | $4,456 | $28,936 |
| Cavalier King Charles SpanielAKC #12 · small | $2,691 | $3,626 | $33,460 |
| Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)AKC #13 · toy | $2,529 | $3,464 | $35,668 |
Cheapest to keep in Tennessee
- 01Chihuahua$2,105
- 02Russian Toy$2,149
- 03Toy Fox Terrier$2,170
Most expensive to keep in Tennessee
- 01Black Russian Terrier$4,390
- 02Leonberger$4,091
- 03Komondor$4,084
State pages use one price index for all of Tennessee; a big-city clinic and a rural one can differ more than any two states. How the state adjustment works.