Salary Needed to Live in Knoxville as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $52,025/year to live comfortably in Knoxville, TN, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $52,025/year to live comfortably in Knoxville, TN. The bare-minimum salary is $45,088/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,179.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,818/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,335/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$52,025
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$45,088
$3,757/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,818
21% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Knoxville
| Expense | Knoxville | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $834 | $1,351 | -38% |
| Groceries | $237 | $207 | +14% |
| Utilities | $124 | $169 | -27% |
| Transportation | $249 | $316 | -21% |
| Car Insurance | $201 | $223 | -10% |
| Health Insurance | $612 | $672 | -9% |
| Internet | $57 | $65 | -12% |
| Phone | $74 | $85 | -13% |
| Dining & Social | $261 | $300 | -13% |
| Entertainment | $104 | $120 | -13% |
| Personal Care | $65 | $75 | -13% |
| Total Monthly | $2,818 | $3,583 | -21% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,818
Target savings (10%):$361/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,179
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$52,025
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$834
Studio/1BR rent is 30% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus TN state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$361/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
87/100
Knoxville is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $834/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $561/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $45,088/year as the survival floor and $52,025/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Knoxville
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Knoxville?
A single person needs approximately $52,025/year ($4,335/month gross) to live comfortably in Knoxville with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Knoxville?
A studio/1br in Knoxville costs approximately $834/month, which is the largest single expense at 30% of the total budget.
Is Knoxville affordable for a single person?
Yes, Knoxville is 21% more affordable than the national average for a single person.