City Comparison

Irving vs Knoxville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Knoxville

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

The Verdict

13.6%

Living in Knoxville costs 13.6% less than Irving. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Irving, you would need $66,000 in Knoxville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Irving
73
Knoxville
Groceries
99
Irving
94
Knoxville
Utilities
111
Irving
90
Knoxville
Transportation
97
Irving
97
Knoxville
Healthcare
103
Irving
93
Knoxville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $66,000 in Knoxville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $85,227 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Knoxville

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $240,000. The $78,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving 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 103 in Irving and 93 in Knoxville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $48,748 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. 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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville is 13.6% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,000 in Knoxville, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Knoxville's is 73 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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