City Comparison

Knoxville vs Yonkers

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Knoxville

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

Yonkers

New York
142
Expensive
$635,000
Median Home
$2,200/mo
Median Rent
$80,600
Median Income

The Verdict

38.0%

Living in Knoxville costs 38.0% less than Yonkers. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Knoxville, you would need $121,023 in Yonkers.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
73
Knoxville
203
Yonkers
Groceries
94
Knoxville
106
Yonkers
Utilities
90
Knoxville
117
Yonkers
Transportation
97
Knoxville
116
Yonkers
Healthcare
93
Knoxville
107
Yonkers

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Knoxville has the same purchasing power as $121,023 in Yonkers.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yonkers equals $46,479 in Knoxville.

Living in Knoxville vs Yonkers

Housing Costs

Knoxville's housing index of 73 is lower Yonkers's 203, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $635,000. The $395,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Knoxville compared to $2,200/mo in Yonkers, a monthly difference of $1,100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Knoxville and 106 in Yonkers. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Knoxville vs $504/month in Yonkers. Knoxville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Knoxville and 117 in Yonkers. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Knoxville vs $468 in Yonkers. 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 107 in Yonkers. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $80,600 in Yonkers. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,748 and $56,761 respectively. Yonkers 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 $1,881/month in Yonkers. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Yonkers, median rent of $2,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 130 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville is 38.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 142.
A $75,000 salary in Knoxville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $121,023 in Yonkers, based on the cost of living difference.
Knoxville's housing index is 73 with median homes at $240,000, while Yonkers's is 203 with median homes at $635,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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