City Comparison

Knoxville vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Knoxville

Tennessee
88
Below Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$42,898
Median Income

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Knoxville has equivalent purchasing power to $74,148 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
73
Knoxville
86
Springdale
Groceries
94
Knoxville
97
Springdale
Utilities
90
Knoxville
93
Springdale
Transportation
97
Knoxville
91
Springdale
Healthcare
93
Knoxville
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Knoxville has the same purchasing power as $74,148 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $75,862 in Knoxville.

Living in Knoxville vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Knoxville's housing index of 73 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $299,000. The $59,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Knoxville compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Knoxville and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Knoxville vs $461/month in Springdale. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Knoxville and 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Knoxville vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Knoxville and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,748 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Knoxville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,148 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Knoxville's housing index is 73 with median homes at $240,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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