Can I Afford to Live in Nashville vs Knoxville on $60K?

Here's how a $60K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Nashville, TN
$3,793/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (47% of take-home)
Difficult
Knoxville, TN
$3,793/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (34% of take-home)
Manageable
Share on X

Monthly budget breakdown

Nashville
TN
Knoxville
TN
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,793Best ✓
$3,793
1BR rent
$1,800
$1,300Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$365
$361Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$70
$45Best ✓
Utilities
$170
$168Best ✓
Internet
$60Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$1,328/month
$1,859/month
Both Nashville and Knoxville have no state income tax — your take-home is higher than in most states.

Frequently asked questions

Is $60K a good salary in Nashville?

At $60K/year in Nashville, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,793. With 1BR rent around $1,800/month, rent takes up 47% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $60K a good salary in Knoxville?

At $60K/year in Knoxville, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,793. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 34% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Which city is more affordable on a $60K salary?

Knoxville leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,859/month vs $1,328/month in Nashville.

Can I afford to live alone in Nashville on $60K?

It's tight. Rent in Nashville would take 47% of your $60K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Nashville vs Knoxville

$40K$50K$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