Moving from Nashville, TN to Knoxville, TN
About 3,718 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 4,019 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Knoxville, TN.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 17.0% of income in Nashville, TN and 17.0% in Knoxville, TN.
Nashville, TN Knoxville, TN (monthly)
| Monthly | Nashville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $994 | $994 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,840 | $4,840 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,650 | $1,178 | −$472 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,650 | $1,178 | −$472 |
| Food | $424 | $424 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.2 | $424 | $424 | $0 |
| Transportation | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $51 | $51 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 7% on other goods; 4% on groceries — local add-ons not modeled | $51 | $51 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $957 | $957 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.2 | $481 | $481 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.1 | $476 | $476 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,594 | $2,066 | +$472 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 12.3% of income in Nashville, TN and 12.3% in Knoxville, TN.
Nashville, TN Knoxville, TN (monthly)
| Monthly | Nashville, TN | Knoxville, TN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,235 | $1,235 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,765 | $8,765 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,798 | $1,475 | −$323 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,798 | $1,475 | −$323 |
| Childcare | $1,180 | $1,180 | $0 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $146/wk, school-age $76/wk (2022 prices, Knox County, TN); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,180 | $1,180 | $0 |
| Food | $1,234 | $1,234 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.2 | $1,234 | $1,234 | $0 |
| Transportation | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $83 | $83 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 7% on other goods; 4% on groceries — local add-ons not modeled | $83 | $83 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $957 | $957 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.2 | $481 | $481 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.1 | $476 | $476 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $3,184 | $3,507 | +$323 |
Nashville, TN vs Knoxville, TN at a glance
| Measure | Nashville, TN | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 96.3 | 92.6 |
| Housing price level | 104.6 | 82.8 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,650 | $1,178 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,798 | $1,475 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,309 | $1,844 |
| Median home value | $409,600 | $290,200 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.50% | 0.44% |
| Median household income | $85,447 | $72,422 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $212 | $212 |
| State income tax on wages | No | No |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 7% | 7% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.11 | $4.11 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $156 | $156 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Knoxville, TN to keep my Nashville, TN lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Nashville, TN, about $62,516 in Knoxville, TN (−10.7%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $115,177. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Knoxville, TN cheaper than Nashville, TN?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Knoxville, TN is at 92.6 and Nashville, TN at 96.3 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$472 a month in Knoxville, TN.
How many people move from Nashville, TN to Knoxville, TN?+
About 3,718 people a year (±493), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 4,019 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.