Knoxville wins overall by ~19% (COL index)
Cost of living: Knoxville vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Knoxville buys roughly what $73,793 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$11,912/yr
Favoring Knoxville for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $993/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~16 months and still keep ~$119/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Knoxville Tennessee | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $1,500 | Knoxville wins +$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Knoxville |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,300Wins | $1,900 | Knoxville wins +$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Knoxville |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700Wins | $2,600 | Knoxville wins +$900/mo | $10,800/yr saves in Knoxville |
| Median home price | $290KWins | $360K | Knoxville wins +$70K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95Better | 102 | Knoxville wins +7 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $15 | Knoxville wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $60 | Knoxville wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Wins | $105 | Knoxville wins +$60/mo | $720/yr saves in Knoxville |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.40 | Knoxville wins +$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $165 | Knoxville wins +$17/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $168 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Knoxville wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $53K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$14K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 4.9% | Knoxville wins +4.9 pp | $2,940/yr saves in Knoxville |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.5%Better | 10.3% | Knoxville wins +0.8 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Wins | $16.00 | Knoxville wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Wins | $45 | Knoxville wins +$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $7.00 | Knoxville wins +$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Wins | 107 | Knoxville wins +20 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 26 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +52 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,940/yr tax difference into cash back
Knoxville fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Knoxville.
High-yield savings
Park ~$7,200/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Knoxville cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Knoxville is 19% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Knoxville vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Knoxville is $1,300/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Knoxville is cheaper by 32%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Knoxville?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $92,241/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Knoxville. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Knoxville or Chicago?
Knoxville has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.9%. Knoxville has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Knoxville to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Knoxville ↔ Chicago
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