Knoxville vs Warwick
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Knoxville
Warwick
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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