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Knoxville, TN

Cost of living in Knoxville, Tennessee

Knox County, TN

Part of the Knoxville Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,140/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 487,401 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,264 40%
Federal tax $513 16%
Healthcare $480 15%
Transport $320 10%
Groceries $317 10%
Energy $191 6%
Water $55 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Knoxville

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,256
per month
1 bedroom
$1,264
per month
2 bedroom
$1,548
per month
3 bedroom
$1,989
per month
4 bedroom
$2,335
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Knoxville

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$71,662
per year
Individual earnings
$41,434
per year
Per capita
$41,957
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Knoxville

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$279,700
Annual property tax
$1,332

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Knoxville

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 13.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$44
per month
Annual total
$2,292
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Knoxville

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Knoxville

State and local tax rates for Tennessee.

No state income tax
Tennessee does not levy a personal income tax.
State sales tax
7.0%
Combined sales tax
9.6%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Knoxville

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.2 min
Drive alone
76.8%
Public transit
0.6%
Work from home
12.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Knoxville

What it costs to live in Knoxville each month.

Single person
$3,140
per month
  • Rent $1,264
  • Energy $191
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $317
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $513
  • State tax $0
Couple
$4,494
per month
  • Rent $1,548
  • Energy $229
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $525
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $843
  • State tax $0
Family
$7,060
per month
  • Rent $1,989
  • Energy $286
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $797
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $843
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Knoxville

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Knoxville?

In Knoxville, Tennessee, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,264 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,548 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,989 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Knoxville?

In Knoxville, Tennessee, the average household income is $71,662 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,434 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Knoxville?

The estimated cost of living in Knoxville, Tennessee is approximately $3,140 per month for a single person, $4,494 for a couple, $7,060 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Knoxville?

The combined sales tax rate in Knoxville, Tennessee is 9.55%, which includes the Tennessee state rate of 7.00% plus an average local rate of 2.55%.

Is Knoxville an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Knoxville, Tennessee would need approximately $3,140 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $71,662 per year ($5,972 per month). Knoxville has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Knoxville?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Knoxville, Tennessee is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Knoxville?

The average home value in Knoxville, Tennessee is $279,700, with average annual property taxes of $1,332, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Knoxville compare to other areas?

You can compare Knoxville, Tennessee with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Knoxville is in the Knoxville, TN metro area.

Other counties in Tennessee

Browse the full list of counties in Tennessee, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Tennessee

Compare Knoxville with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources