Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Knoxville and Oklahoma City have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · Oklahoma salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Knoxville has a housing index of 73 while Oklahoma City sits at 68 (national average = 100). The median home in Knoxville costs $240,000 compared to $195,000 in Oklahoma City, a difference of $45,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Knoxville versus $1,000 in Oklahoma City.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Knoxville scores 94 while Oklahoma City scores 95.
Healthcare costs in Knoxville (93) are higher than Oklahoma City (92).
Median household income in Knoxville is $42,898 compared to $55,458 in Oklahoma City. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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