Median rent is 7% lower in Detroit ($1,034/mo vs $1,116/mo). Buying is cheaper in Detroit, where the median home runs $76,800 versus $214,000. Households earn more in Knoxville ($50,994 vs $39,575 a year). Taken together, Knoxville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 96.1 against 96.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Knoxville, TN.
City A
Detroit, MI
City B
Knoxville, TN
How much would you need to earn in Knoxville, TN to maintain your standard of living from Detroit, MI?
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$74,906
You could earn $94 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Detroit
Michigan
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Detroit at $1,034/mo compared to $1,116/mo in Knoxville (7% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Knoxville: the median home is $214,000 versus $76,800 in Detroit — 64% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Tennessee has no state income tax, while Michigan tops out at 4.25% — giving Knoxville a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Michigan and 7.00% in Tennessee; Detroit has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Detroit
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Knoxville
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
Detroit has cleaner air on average: 32.0 AQI (Good) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize higher median household income ($50,994/yr).
Pick Detroit if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 32.0).
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Detroit cheaper than Knoxville?
Knoxville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 96.1 versus 96.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Knoxville.
How much is rent in Detroit vs Knoxville?
Median rent is $1,034/mo in Detroit, MI and $1,116/mo in Knoxville, TN. Detroit, MI has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Detroit or Knoxville?
Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $50,994 in Knoxville, TN. Knoxville, TN has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Detroit, MI has better air quality on average: 32.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Detroit or Knoxville?
Tennessee has no state income tax. Michigan has a top rate of 4.25%.
What salary do I need in Knoxville to match my Detroit income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Detroit, MI is equivalent to roughly $99,874 in Knoxville, TN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology