Cost of Living Comparison for Knoxville, TN
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Knoxville's cost of living index is 93 — 7% cheaper than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
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How Knoxville Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Knoxville stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $285,000 | $420,800 | -32.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,100 | $1,713 | -35.8% |
| Median Household Income | $58,000 | $74,580 | -22.2% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.69% | 1.10% | -37.3% |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 100 | -7.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Knoxville Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 880,000
- Unemployment
- 3.0%
- Avg Commute
- 23 min
- Median Age
- 37.4
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 21.6x
- Annual Property Tax
- $1,967
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Tennessee Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Knoxville
What is the median home price in Knoxville, TN?
The median home price in Knoxville is $285,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Knoxville?
Median monthly rent in Knoxville is $1,100. That works out to $13,200/year, or 23% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Knoxville affordable?
Knoxville's cost of living index is 93 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $58,000/year and a median home price of $285,000, the price-to-income ratio is 4.9x. Knoxville falls in the middle of the affordability spectrum for US cities.
What is the property tax rate in Knoxville?
The effective property tax rate in Knoxville is 0.69% of assessed value. On the median home of $285,000, that's roughly $1,967/year ($164/month).