Median rent is 10% lower in Knoxville ($1,191/mo vs $1,321/mo). Buying is cheaper in Knoxville, where the median home runs $239,700 versus $289,900. Households earn more in Norfolk ($66,109 vs $54,039 a year). Taken together, Norfolk is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 97.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Norfolk, VA.
City A
Knoxville, TN
City B
Norfolk, VA
How much would you need to earn in Norfolk, VA to maintain your standard of living from Knoxville, TN?
Equivalent salary in Norfolk, VA
$74,992
You could earn $8 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
Knoxville
Tennessee
Norfolk
Virginia
👥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 Knoxville at $1,191/mo compared to $1,321/mo in Norfolk (10% gap). Median home values are within 17% of each other: $239,700 in Knoxville and $289,900 in Norfolk.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Knoxville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Norfolk
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Knoxville has cleaner air on average: 43.0 AQI (Good) compared to 45.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Norfolk if you prioritize higher median household income ($66,109/yr).
Is Knoxville cheaper than Norfolk?
Norfolk is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 97.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Norfolk.
How much is rent in Knoxville vs Norfolk?
Median rent is $1,191/mo in Knoxville, TN and $1,321/mo in Norfolk, VA. Knoxville, TN has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Knoxville or Norfolk?
Median household income is $54,039 in Knoxville, TN and $66,109 in Norfolk, VA. Norfolk, VA 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?
Knoxville, TN has better air quality on average: 43.0 AQI versus 45.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Knoxville or Norfolk?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Norfolk to match my Knoxville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Knoxville, TN is equivalent to roughly $99,989 in Norfolk, VA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
