City Comparison

Juneau vs Knoxville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Juneau

Alaska
127
Expensive
$524,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$105,000
Median Income

Knoxville

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

The Verdict

44.3%

Living in Knoxville costs 44.3% less than Juneau. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Juneau, you would need $51,969 in Knoxville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Juneau
73
Knoxville
Groceries
123
Juneau
94
Knoxville
Utilities
140
Juneau
90
Knoxville
Transportation
125
Juneau
97
Knoxville
Healthcare
151
Juneau
93
Knoxville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Juneau has the same purchasing power as $51,969 in Knoxville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $108,239 in Juneau.

Living in Juneau vs Knoxville

Housing Costs

Juneau's housing index of 131 is higher Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $524,000 vs $240,000. The $284,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Juneau compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 123 in Juneau and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $584/month in Juneau vs $447/month in Knoxville. Knoxville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1644/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 140 in Juneau and 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $560 in Juneau 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 151 in Juneau and 93 in Knoxville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 58-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $105,000 in Juneau and $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,677 and $48,748 respectively. Juneau residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,450/month to housing in Juneau vs $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/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 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville is 44.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 127.
A $75,000 salary in Juneau has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $51,969 in Knoxville, based on the cost of living difference.
Juneau's housing index is 131 with median homes at $524,000, while Knoxville's is 73 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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