Knoxville vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Knoxville
Lowell
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 32.8%, with Knoxville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Knoxville has equivalent purchasing power to $111,648 in Lowell.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Knoxville has the same purchasing power as $111,648 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $50,382 in Knoxville.
Living in Knoxville vs Lowell
Housing Costs
Knoxville's housing index of 73 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $429,000. The $189,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,288 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Knoxville compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Knoxville and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Knoxville vs $494/month in Lowell. Knoxville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Knoxville and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Knoxville vs $604 in Lowell. 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 93 in Knoxville and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $42,898 in Knoxville and $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,748 and $60,840 respectively. Lowell residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,001/month to housing in Knoxville vs $1,860/month in Lowell. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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