Median rent is 10% lower in Knoxville ($1,191/mo vs $1,322/mo). Buying is cheaper in Knoxville, where the median home runs $239,700 versus $314,400. Households earn more in Pensacola ($74,212 vs $54,039 a year). Taken together, Knoxville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 97.8 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Pensacola, FL.
City A
Knoxville, TN
City B
Pensacola, FL
How much would you need to earn in Pensacola, FL to maintain your standard of living from Knoxville, TN?
Equivalent salary in Pensacola, FL
$75,084
You'd need $84 more (0% higher).
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
Pensacola
Florida
👥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 $1,322/mo in Pensacola (10% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Pensacola: the median home is $314,400 versus $239,700 in Knoxville — 24% more expensive.
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
Pensacola
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Knoxville (avg AQI 43.0) but not yet for Pensacola.
Pick Pensacola if you prioritize higher median household income ($74,212/yr).
Is Knoxville cheaper than Pensacola?
Knoxville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 97.8 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Knoxville.
How much is rent in Knoxville vs Pensacola?
Median rent is $1,191/mo in Knoxville, TN and $1,322/mo in Pensacola, FL. Knoxville, TN has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Knoxville or Pensacola?
Median household income is $54,039 in Knoxville, TN and $74,212 in Pensacola, FL. Pensacola, FL 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Knoxville or Pensacola?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Pensacola to match my Knoxville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Knoxville, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,113 in Pensacola, FL (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
