salaryKnoxville is the 3rd-largest city in Tennessee that we track, with 195,185 residents. Rent is lower than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.1 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,760 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Tennessee cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Tennessee. It is number 79 of 114 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Knoxville with other big cities
Compare Knoxville to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Knoxville?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Knoxville
| Size | Knoxville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $869 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,048 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,305 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,496 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,635 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Knoxville overall?
Everyday prices in the Knoxville metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Knoxville
Life in Knoxville
What jobs pay in Knoxville
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | 14.0% |
| Lawyer | $126,520 | 14.6% |
| Software Developer | $121,750 | 15.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | 16.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | 17.2% |
| Operations Manager | $104,590 | 17.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $96,320 | 19.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $85,730 | 21.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | 21.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | 24.0% |
| Accountant | $75,380 | 24.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,890 | 29.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,980 | 29.9% |
| Plumber | $59,860 | 31.0% |
| Truck Driver | $59,100 | 31.4% |
| Electrician | $58,640 | 31.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $57,960 | 32.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,780 | 32.6% |
| Police Officer | $56,380 | 32.9% |
| Carpenter | $50,400 | 36.8% |
| Firefighter | $47,160 | 39.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,880 | 47.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,840 | 47.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,000 | 48.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,400 | 49.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,520 | 50.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,150 | 59.5% |
| Cashier | $29,110 | 63.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,100 | 65.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Knoxville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $119 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $239,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,970 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Knoxville, TN?
Renting in Knoxville costs a median of about $1,544 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Tennessee median is $1,279.
How much do I need to make to live in Knoxville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,760 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Knoxville cheap or expensive?
Knoxville is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.8% of the typical household income of $58,281. It ranks 79th cheapest of 114 Tennessee cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Knoxville?
The median homeowner in Knoxville pays $1,527 a year in property taxes, about 0.64% of the median home value.
Is Knoxville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Knoxville?
The median home value in Knoxville is $239,700, about 4.1 times the typical yearly household income.
195,185 people live in Knoxville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.