Median rent is 17% lower in Knoxville ($1,116/mo vs $1,343/mo). Buying is cheaper in Knoxville, where the median home runs $214,000 versus $495,700. Households earn more in Salt Lake City ($74,925 vs $50,994 a year). Taken together, Salt Lake City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 95.8 against 96.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Salt Lake City, UT.
City A
Knoxville, TN
City B
Salt Lake City, UT
How much would you need to earn in Salt Lake City, UT to maintain your standard of living from Knoxville, TN?
Equivalent salary in Salt Lake City, UT
$74,768
You could earn $232 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
Salt Lake City
Utah
👥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 $1,116/mo compared to $1,343/mo in Salt Lake City (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Salt Lake City: the median home is $495,700 versus $214,000 in Knoxville — 57% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Tennessee has no state income tax, while Utah tops out at 4.65% — giving Knoxville a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.00% in Tennessee and 4.85% in Utah; Salt Lake City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Knoxville
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
Salt Lake City
Income tax: 4.65%
Sales tax: 4.85%
Salt Lake City has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Salt Lake City if you prioritize higher median household income ($74,925/yr).
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,116/mo median).
Pick Salt Lake City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Knoxville cheaper than Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.8 versus 96.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Salt Lake City.
How much is rent in Knoxville vs Salt Lake City?
Median rent is $1,116/mo in Knoxville, TN and $1,343/mo in Salt Lake City, UT. Knoxville, TN has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Knoxville or Salt Lake City?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville, TN and $74,925 in Salt Lake City, UT. Salt Lake City, UT 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?
Salt Lake City, UT has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Knoxville or Salt Lake City?
Tennessee has no state income tax. Utah has a top rate of 4.65%.
What salary do I need in Salt Lake City to match my Knoxville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Knoxville, TN is equivalent to roughly $99,691 in Salt Lake City, UT (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