City Comparison

Dublin vs Knoxville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

Knoxville

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

The Verdict

18.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.2%, with Knoxville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to $63,462 in Knoxville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
128
Dublin
73
Knoxville
Groceries
95
Dublin
94
Knoxville
Utilities
110
Dublin
90
Knoxville
Transportation
108
Dublin
97
Knoxville
Healthcare
82
Dublin
93
Knoxville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $63,462 in Knoxville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $88,636 in Dublin.

Living in Dublin vs Knoxville

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is higher Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $240,000. The $230,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,952 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $1,025.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin 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 110 in Dublin and 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin 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 82 in Dublin and 93 in Knoxville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $48,748 respectively. Dublin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/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 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville is 18.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,462 in Knoxville, based on the cost of living difference.
Dublin's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Knoxville's is 73 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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