City Comparison

Knoxville vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Knoxville

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

17.0%

Living in Knoxville costs 17.0% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Knoxville, you would need $90,341 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
73
Knoxville
127
Warwick
Groceries
94
Knoxville
102
Warwick
Utilities
90
Knoxville
112
Warwick
Transportation
97
Knoxville
105
Warwick
Healthcare
93
Knoxville
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Knoxville has the same purchasing power as $90,341 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $62,264 in Knoxville.

Living in Knoxville vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Knoxville's housing index of 73 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $413,000. The $173,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,244 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Knoxville compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Knoxville and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Knoxville vs $485/month in Warwick. Knoxville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Knoxville and 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Knoxville vs $448 in Warwick. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Knoxville and 103 in Warwick. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,748 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville is 17.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Knoxville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,341 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Knoxville's housing index is 73 with median homes at $240,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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