NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennesseans are feeling more pressure from the rising cost of living, even as most voters say the state’s economy is holding steady. That is one of the major findings from Vanderbilt University’s latest statewide poll released Thursday.
Researchers say voters still see Tennessee’s economy as separate from the rest of the country. Sixty-one percent call the state’s economic conditions very or fairly good, while only 41 percent give the same rating to the national economy.
Where things shift is at the personal level. Vanderbilt found sharp increases in concern about paying for unexpected medical bills or car repairs and even covering regular monthly expenses.
Sixty-seven percent of respondents say they are worried about having enough money for emergencies.
That is up 13 percentage points since December 2024.
Vanderbilt found sharp increases in concern about paying for unexpected medical bills or car repairs and even covering regular monthly expenses. Sixty-seven percent of respondents say they are worried about having enough money for emergencies. That is up 13 percentage points since December 2024. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Another 51 percent say that housing, food and transportation costs are very or moderately concerning. Seventy percent report worry about saving for retirement or education.
“Inflation is a serious concern for Tennesseans across the state, even among MAGA Republicans,” said John Geer, co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll and senior advisor to Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. “While Trump continues to have support in the state, the worries about the cost of living are growing.”
The poll also asked voters whether Tennessee and the country are headed in the right direction. Fifty-three percent say the state is on the right track. Forty-six percent say the same about the United States.
Researchers tested public views on several additional issues. Those include vaccines, possible causes of autism, educational priorities and the job performance of state and federal leaders.
Three-quarters of respondents say they know someone with autism. Partisan differences appear when voters are asked about what causes the condition. File photo: Getty Images.
The release notes that three-quarters of respondents know someone with autism. Partisan differences appear when voters are asked about what causes the condition. Twenty-one percent agree or somewhat agree that childhood vaccines can cause autism. Sixteen percent believe mothers taking Tylenol during pregnancy can cause autism. Geer said those results reflect national rhetoric from political leaders.
Vanderbilt also found wide gaps in adults’ willingness to receive recommended vaccines themselves. Eighty percent of Democrats say they would take a recommended vaccine compared to 41 percent of Independents and 28 percent of Republicans.
On education, voters still overwhelmingly prioritize core skills in high school. Mathematics and science are rated “very important” by 84 percent of respondents. Critical thinking is close behind at 81 percent. Most Tennesseans also want high schools to prepare students for college and the workforce equally.
The poll reached 1,046 registered Tennessee voters from Nov. 12 to Nov. 19. It was conducted in English and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.