Cost of Living · Tennessee
Knoxville Cost of Living
Knoxville, Tennessee costs approximately 8.0% below the US national average. Compare with 49 other major US cities.
0.92×
cost-of-living index (1.00 = US national average)
Knoxville ranks 2 of 3 cities in Tennessee by cost of living.
Cities MORE expensive than Knoxville (75)
San Francisco, CA
+57.6% more expensive
Oakland, CA
+46.7% more expensive
New York City, NY
+43.5% more expensive
Honolulu, HI
+41.3% more expensive
Irvine, CA
+41.3% more expensive
Los Angeles, CA
+32.6% more expensive
Boston, MA
+32.6% more expensive
San Diego, CA
+31.5% more expensive
Yonkers, NY
+30.4% more expensive
Anchorage, AK
+30.4% more expensive
Seattle, WA
+28.3% more expensive
Long Beach, CA
+28.3% more expensive
Anaheim, CA
+28.3% more expensive
Scottsdale, AZ
+28.3% more expensive
Chula Vista, CA
+25.0% more expensive
Miami, FL
+21.7% more expensive
Portland, OR
+19.6% more expensive
Newark, NJ
+19.6% more expensive
Sacramento, CA
+19.6% more expensive
Riverside, CA
+19.6% more expensive
Denver, CO
+17.4% more expensive
Chicago, IL
+14.1% more expensive
Austin, TX
+14.1% more expensive
Baltimore, MD
+14.1% more expensive
Stockton, CA
+14.1% more expensive
Aurora, CO
+14.1% more expensive
Hialeah, FL
+14.1% more expensive
Frisco, TX
+14.1% more expensive
Las Vegas, NV
+13.0% more expensive
Minneapolis, MN
+13.0% more expensive
Plano, TX
+13.0% more expensive
Chandler, AZ
+13.0% more expensive
Phoenix, AZ
+10.9% more expensive
Philadelphia, PA
+10.9% more expensive
Atlanta, GA
+10.9% more expensive
Tampa, FL
+10.9% more expensive
Henderson, NV
+10.9% more expensive
Reno, NV
+10.9% more expensive
Gilbert, AZ
+10.9% more expensive
Charleston, SC
+10.9% more expensive
Salt Lake City, UT
+10.9% more expensive
Orlando, FL
+9.8% more expensive
Wilmington, DE
+8.7% more expensive
Raleigh, NC
+8.7% more expensive
Virginia Beach, VA
+8.7% more expensive
St. Paul, MN
+8.7% more expensive
Chesapeake, VA
+8.7% more expensive
North Las Vegas, NV
+8.7% more expensive
Boise, ID
+8.7% more expensive
Fresno, CA
+8.7% more expensive
Worcester, MA
+8.7% more expensive
Dallas, TX
+7.6% more expensive
Nashville, TN
+7.6% more expensive
Colorado Springs, CO
+7.6% more expensive
Bakersfield, CA
+7.6% more expensive
St. Petersburg, FL
+7.6% more expensive
Madison, WI
+7.6% more expensive
Norfolk, VA
+6.5% more expensive
Jacksonville, FL
+5.4% more expensive
Charlotte, NC
+5.4% more expensive
Mesa, AZ
+5.4% more expensive
Houston, TX
+4.3% more expensive
Fort Worth, TX
+4.3% more expensive
Tucson, AZ
+4.3% more expensive
Glendale, AZ
+4.3% more expensive
Garland, TX
+4.3% more expensive
Spokane, WA
+4.3% more expensive
Pittsburgh, PA
+3.3% more expensive
Arlington, TX
+3.3% more expensive
Tallahassee, FL
+3.3% more expensive
Milwaukee, WI
+2.2% more expensive
Albuquerque, NM
+2.2% more expensive
New Orleans, LA
+2.2% more expensive
San Antonio, TX
+1.1% more expensive
Grand Rapids, MI
+1.1% more expensive
Cities CHEAPER than Knoxville (16)
El Paso, TX
−1.1% cheaper
Cleveland, OH
−1.1% cheaper
St. Louis, MO
−1.1% cheaper
Winston-Salem, NC
−1.1% cheaper
Indianapolis, IN
−2.2% cheaper
Louisville, KY
−2.2% cheaper
Omaha, NE
−2.2% cheaper
Memphis, TN
−3.3% cheaper
Oklahoma City, OK
−3.3% cheaper
Lincoln, NE
−3.3% cheaper
Birmingham, AL
−4.3% cheaper
Toledo, OH
−4.3% cheaper
Lubbock, TX
−4.3% cheaper
Wichita, KS
−6.5% cheaper
Fort Wayne, IN
−6.5% cheaper
Mobile, AL
−6.5% cheaper
Knoxville cost of living, in context
With a cost-of-living index of 0.92× the US national average, Knoxville sits below the typical American cost baseline. 75 of the 49 other major US cities we track cost more, while 16 cost less.
What drives the index: housing dominates (typically 30-40% of household budget), followed by transportation (~15%), food (~10%), healthcare (~10%), and utilities/services. Knoxville's lower costs reflect more affordable housing and a less constrained real estate market.
Salary in Knoxville
Salaries in Knoxville typically scale with the cost-of-living index. A professional earning $X in a national-average metro would expect approximately $92K for the same role in Knoxville. See our salary by job in Knoxville pages for specific role estimates across 50 jobs.
Related tools
Knoxville Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home with city/state taxes. Knoxville salary by job — 50 jobs. Inflation Calculator — purchasing power over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cost of living index for Knoxville?▾
Knoxville's cost-of-living index is 0.92× US average — meaning living costs are approximately 8.0% below the national average. Major drivers: housing, taxes, transportation. Index based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
Is Knoxville expensive to live in?▾
Knoxville is below US average cost of living, making it relatively affordable. Lower housing costs are usually the main reason.
What salary do I need to live in Knoxville?▾
Living comfortably in Knoxville typically requires income matching the local cost-of-living multiplier × what you'd need elsewhere. For a "moderate" lifestyle: household income of $45K+ is often suggested. Use our salary by city pages for job-specific estimates.
How does Knoxville compare within Tennessee?▾
Knoxville ranks 2 of 3 cities we track in Tennessee by cost of living. Within-state variation can be significant — major metros typically cost more than smaller cities or rural areas.
Where does this index come from?▾
BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP) — published annually by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. Reflects cost differences for the same basket of goods/services across metros. Useful baseline; specific items (housing, dining out) can vary much more than the overall index suggests.