Median rent is 21% lower in Knoxville ($1,116/mo vs $1,415/mo). Buying is cheaper in Knoxville, where the median home runs $214,000 versus $339,500. Households earn more in Worcester ($67,544 vs $50,994 a year). Taken together, Worcester is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 96.0 against 96.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Worcester, MA.
City A
Knoxville, TN
City B
Worcester, MA
How much would you need to earn in Worcester, MA to maintain your standard of living from Knoxville, TN?
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$74,895
You could earn $105 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
Worcester
Massachusetts
👥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 $1,116/mo versus $1,415/mo in Worcester, a 21% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Worcester: the median home is $339,500 versus $214,000 in Knoxville — 37% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Tennessee has no state income tax, while Massachusetts tops out at 9.00% — giving Knoxville a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.00% in Tennessee and 6.25% in Massachusetts; Worcester has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Knoxville
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
Worcester
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Worcester 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 Worcester if you prioritize higher median household income ($67,544/yr).
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,116/mo median).
Pick Worcester if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 32.0).
Pick Knoxville if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Knoxville cheaper than Worcester?
Worcester is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 96.0 versus 96.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Worcester.
How much is rent in Knoxville vs Worcester?
Median rent is $1,116/mo in Knoxville, TN and $1,415/mo in Worcester, MA. Knoxville, TN has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Knoxville or Worcester?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville, TN and $67,544 in Worcester, MA. Worcester, MA 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?
Worcester, MA 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 — Knoxville or Worcester?
Tennessee has no state income tax. Massachusetts has a top rate of 9.00%.
What salary do I need in Worcester to match my Knoxville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Knoxville, TN is equivalent to roughly $99,860 in Worcester, MA (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