Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Knoxville and St. Louis 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 · Missouri salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Knoxville has a housing index of 73 while St. Louis sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Knoxville costs $240,000 compared to $175,000 in St. Louis, a difference of $65,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Knoxville versus $1,000 in St. Louis.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Knoxville scores 94 while St. Louis scores 97.
Healthcare costs in Knoxville (93) are lower than St. Louis (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Knoxville is $42,898 compared to $45,782 in St. Louis. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Amazon affiliate links