Can I Afford to Live in Lafayette vs Knoxville 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.

Lafayette, LA
$2,585/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (43% of take-home)
Tight
Knoxville, TN
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (48% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Lafayette
LA
Knoxville
TN
Monthly take-home (est.)$2,585$2,728
1BR rent$1,100$1,300
Groceries (est.)$361$361
Transport (est.)$42$45
Utilities$208$168
Internet$58$60
Left after essentials$816/month$794/month
Knoxville (Tennessee) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Lafayette (LA rate: 4.3%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Lafayette?

At $40K/year in Lafayette, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,585. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 43% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

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.

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

Lafayette leaves you with more money after core expenses — $816/month vs $794/month in Knoxville.

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

It's tight. Rent in Lafayette would take 43% 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 — Lafayette vs Knoxville

$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