City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Knoxville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

Netherlands
107
Above Average
$595,000
Median Home
$2,100/mo
Median Rent
$58,000
Median Income

Knoxville

Tennessee
88
Below Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$42,898
Median Income

The Verdict

21.6%

Living in Knoxville costs 21.6% less than Amsterdam. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amsterdam, you would need $61,682 in Knoxville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
138
Amsterdam
73
Knoxville
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
94
Knoxville
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
90
Knoxville
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
97
Knoxville
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
93
Knoxville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $61,682 in Knoxville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $91,193 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Knoxville

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $240,000. The $355,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $1,000.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $447/month in Knoxville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $360 in Knoxville. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Amsterdam and 93 in Knoxville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $58,000 in Amsterdam and $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $48,748 respectively. Amsterdam residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,353/month to housing in Amsterdam vs $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville is 21.6% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,682 in Knoxville, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Knoxville's is 73 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases