Knoxville vs Austin

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Knoxville vs Austin

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Knoxville has a housing index of 73 while Austin sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in Knoxville costs $240,000 compared to $430,000 in Austin, a difference of $190,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Knoxville versus $1,700 in Austin.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Knoxville scores 94 while Austin scores 96.

Healthcare costs in Knoxville (93) are lower than Austin (97). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Knoxville is $42,898 compared to $75,413 in Austin. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Knoxville.

Relocating: Knoxville vs Austin

If you are considering a move between Knoxville (index: 88) and Austin (index: 107), the 18% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Knoxville is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Knoxville can afford $1,001/month, while the median household in Austin can afford $1,760/month. With median homes at $240,000 in Knoxville versus $430,000 in Austin, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,100/month in Knoxville and $1,700/month in Austin, renters save significantly in Knoxville. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Knoxville where costs are 12% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Knoxville (88) vs Austin (107)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Knoxville at 88 is 12% below the US average, while Austin at 107 is 7% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Austin costs meaningfully more than Knoxville, with a 19-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Knoxville scores 73 and Austin scores 123. That 50-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Knoxville with indices of 73 versus 123. Median home prices of $240,000 in Knoxville and $430,000 in Austin underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $1,100/month in Knoxville and $1,700/month in Austin, the annual rent difference is approximately $7,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $36,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $190,000 difference in median home prices between Knoxville and Austin translates to roughly $11,400 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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