City Comparison

Knoxville vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Knoxville

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

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

9.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.3%, with Knoxville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Knoxville has equivalent purchasing power to $82,670 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
73
Knoxville
118
Stockholm
Groceries
94
Knoxville
92
Stockholm
Utilities
90
Knoxville
88
Stockholm
Transportation
97
Knoxville
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
93
Knoxville
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Knoxville has the same purchasing power as $82,670 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $68,041 in Knoxville.

Living in Knoxville vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Knoxville's housing index of 73 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $445,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Knoxville compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Knoxville and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Knoxville vs $437/month in Stockholm. 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 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Knoxville vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Knoxville and 82 in Stockholm. 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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,748 and $51,546 respectively. Stockholm 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 $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville is 9.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Knoxville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,670 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Knoxville's housing index is 73 with median homes at $240,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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