Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Knoxville and San Antonio 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 · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Knoxville has a housing index of 73 while San Antonio sits at 78 (national average = 100). The median home in Knoxville costs $240,000 compared to $250,000 in San Antonio, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Knoxville versus $1,200 in San Antonio.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Knoxville scores 94 while San Antonio scores 93.
Healthcare costs in Knoxville (93) are lower than San Antonio (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Knoxville is $42,898 compared to $53,420 in San Antonio. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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