Median rent is 24% lower in Knoxville ($1,191/mo vs $1,577/mo). Buying is cheaper in Knoxville, where the median home runs $239,700 versus $440,900. Households earn more in Stockton ($79,907 vs $54,039 a year). Taken together, Knoxville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 98.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Stockton, CA.
City A
Knoxville, TN
City B
Stockton, CA
How much would you need to earn in Stockton, CA to maintain your standard of living from Knoxville, TN?
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$75,257
You'd need $257 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
Stockton
California
👥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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Knoxville — median rent of $1,191/mo versus $1,577/mo in Stockton, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Stockton: the median home is $440,900 versus $239,700 in Knoxville — 46% 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
Stockton
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Knoxville has cleaner air on average: 43.0 AQI (Good) compared to 48.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Stockton if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,907/yr).
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,191/mo median).
Is Knoxville cheaper than Stockton?
Knoxville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 98.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Knoxville.
How much is rent in Knoxville vs Stockton?
Median rent is $1,191/mo in Knoxville, TN and $1,577/mo in Stockton, CA. Knoxville, TN has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Knoxville or Stockton?
Median household income is $54,039 in Knoxville, TN and $79,907 in Stockton, CA. Stockton, CA 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 48.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Knoxville or Stockton?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Stockton to match my Knoxville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Knoxville, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,343 in Stockton, CA (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
