Direct Answer
Knoxville, TN has a CostOfCity index of 87, which is 13% below the national baseline. Average modeled rent is $1,191/month and the single-adult living cost estimate is $3,559/month.
How to Use This City Page
Cost of Living in Knoxville: The Full Picture
What does it cost to live in Knoxville, TN? The honest answer depends on your lifestyle, but the data gives clear guideposts. With a developing economy where lower costs attract first-time business owners and remote workers and a median household income of $41K, this southern city offers a specific economic profile. We cover 62 cost categories, each calibrated for Knoxville's local conditions.
Knoxville has a developing economy where lower costs attract first-time business owners and remote workers
The housing market features one of America's more affordable housing markets, where homeownership is within reach for most working families
Year-round warmth is the draw, but it comes with trade-offs: mold, termites, and AC units that run 10 months a year.. The lifestyle here is characterized by A rapidly urbanizing landscape where new mixed-use developments spring up next to century-old churches..
At 13% below the national baseline, Knoxville offers the kind of value that makes financial goals — home ownership, savings, early retirement — significantly more achievable.
💰 Purchasing Power in Knoxville
Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Knoxville, your dollar buys 15% more than the national average.
🔺 Where Knoxville Costs More
🔽 Where Knoxville Costs Less
💰 Salary Landscape
vs national average · higher = better
Monthly Living Expenses in Knoxville
What it actually costs to live in Knoxville each month — from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.
Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Knoxville's cost index of 87 applied to national spending surveys.
🏘️ Neighborhood Cost Variation
Knoxville's cost landscape is shaped by geography. Newer developments and master-planned communities drive the sharpest price differences between neighborhoods. A 15-minute drive can mean a 20%+ swing in housing and service costs.
Knoxville vs U.S. Average Cost of Living
Category-by-category affordability grades — based on deviation from the national average.
🏠 Home Services in Knoxville
What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels
Roof Replacement
+2%HVAC Installation
-36%Plumbing Services
-22%Electrical Work
-23%Kitchen Remodel
-32%Bathroom Remodel
-3%House Painting
-42%Flooring Installation
-28%Landscaping
-10%Fence Installation
-4%Window Replacement
-9%Solar Panel Installation
-30%Water Heater Replacement
-6%Deck Building
-40%Pool Installation
-29%Tree Removal
-12%Garage Door Repair
-22%💼 Business Startup Costs in Knoxville
Full startup cost breakdowns — from lease deposits to working capital
Start a Restaurant
-18%Start a Coffee Shop
-33%Start a Food Truck
-17%Start a Gym
-39%Start a Daycare
-1%Start a Hair Salon
-12%Start a Laundromat
-12%Start a Bakery
-10%Start a Bar
-24%Start a Cleaning Business
-6%Start an Airbnb
-6%Start a Trucking Business
-20%📊 Cost of Living in Knoxville
Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities
Cost of Living
-11%Rent Prices
-16%Grocery Costs
-4%Utility Costs
-17%Transportation Costs
-17%Childcare Costs
+3%Gym Membership
-12%🛡️ Insurance in Knoxville
Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories
Car Insurance
+15%Home Insurance
-21%Health Insurance
+2%Business Insurance
+10%Life Insurance
-10%Renters Insurance
-11%Pet Insurance
-15%Dental Insurance
-5%Motorcycle Insurance
+6%⚖️ Legal Services in Knoxville
Attorney fees, court costs, and total legal service expenses
Personal Injury Lawyer
-2%Divorce Lawyer
-25%DUI Lawyer
+6%Immigration Lawyer
+4%Estate Planning Lawyer
-5%Workers Comp Lawyer
-4%Bankruptcy Lawyer
-8%💰 Salaries & Jobs in Knoxville
Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization
Software Developer Salary
-27%Registered Nurse Salary
+4%Teacher Salary
-21%Electrician Salary
-11%Plumber Salary
-4%Accountant Salary
-8%Physical Therapist Salary
-11%Police Officer Salary
-10%Dentist Salary
+3%Real Estate Agent Salary
-25%How Much Income Do You Need in Knoxville?
✅ Best For
- First-time business owners
- Families prioritizing savings
- Anyone building an emergency fund
- Outdoor enthusiasts
⚠️ Not Ideal For
- Workers in highly specialized tech roles
- Those seeking dense urban amenities
Before moving to Knoxville, compare your target salary against local costs using our calculator. You may be pleasantly surprised by how far your income goes.
CostOfCity Value Index
The CostOfCity Value Index combines cost-of-living data with median income, savings potential, and cost growth trends to produce a single score. Higher = better value for your money. Updated quarterly.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Knoxville
What is the median household income in Knoxville?
The median household income in Knoxville is approximately $41,000 per year. Adjusted for local cost of living (index: 87), this goes further than in many US cities.
Is Knoxville a good place to start a business?
Knoxville's business environment is shaped by TN's regulatory framework and local commercial real estate costs. Below-average operating costs give businesses more runway to reach profitability. Check our business startup cost data for specific figures.
Is Knoxville, TN expensive to live in?
Knoxville's cost of living index is 87, which is 13% below the national average of 100. Knoxville is one of the more affordable US cities.
Explore Knoxville in Depth
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