Knoxville vs Oklahoma City
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Knoxville
Oklahoma City
💡 The Verdict
Knoxville and Oklahoma City have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
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 · Oklahoma salaries
Living in Knoxville vs Oklahoma City
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.
Relocating: Knoxville vs Oklahoma City
If you are considering a move between Knoxville (index: 88) and Oklahoma City (index: 87), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City can afford $1,294/month. With median homes at $240,000 in Knoxville versus $195,000 in Oklahoma City, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.
Renting vs buying: At $1,100/month in Knoxville and $1,000/month in Oklahoma City, renters face similar costs in both cities. 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 Oklahoma City where costs are 13% 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 Oklahoma City (87)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Knoxville at 88 is 12% below the US average, while Oklahoma City at 87 is 13% below average. Both cities are relatively affordable compared to the national average.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,100/month in Knoxville and $1,000/month in Oklahoma City, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $45,000 difference in median home prices between Knoxville and Oklahoma City translates to roughly $2,700 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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