Can I Afford to Live in Knoxville vs Chattanooga on $40K?

Here's how a $40K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Knoxville, TN
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (48% of take-home)
Difficult
Chattanooga, TN
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $1,250/mo (46% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Knoxville
TN
Chattanooga
TN
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,728Best ✓
$2,728
1BR rent
$1,300
$1,250Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$361
$357Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$45Best ✓
$45
Utilities
$168
$165Best ✓
Internet
$60
$58Best ✓
Left after essentials
$794/month
$853/month
Both Knoxville and Chattanooga have no state income tax — your take-home is higher than in most states.

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Knoxville?

At $40K/year in Knoxville, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 48% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $40K a good salary in Chattanooga?

At $40K/year in Chattanooga, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $1,250/month, rent takes up 46% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $40K salary?

Chattanooga leaves you with more money after core expenses — $853/month vs $794/month in Knoxville.

Can I afford to live alone in Knoxville on $40K?

It's tight. Rent in Knoxville would take 48% of your $40K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Knoxville vs Chattanooga

$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only