Median rent is 17% lower in Knoxville ($1,191/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Knoxville, where the median home runs $239,700 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $54,039 a year). Taken together, Knoxville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 102.5 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Knoxville is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.7 in Knoxville vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Knoxville, TN
How much would you need to earn in Knoxville, TN to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$71,522
You could earn $3,478 less (5% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Knoxville
Tennessee
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Knoxville at $1,191/mo compared to $1,440/mo in Chicago (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $239,700 in Knoxville — 28% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Knoxville
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Knoxville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 43.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.7 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,191/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Knoxville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Knoxville.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,191/mo in Knoxville, TN. Knoxville, TN has the lower rent by about 17%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $54,039 in Knoxville, TN. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 43.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $95,362 in Knoxville, TN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
