Is Knoxville, TN cheaper or more expensive than Atlanta, GA?

Knoxville, TN (RPP 91.3) is cheaper than Atlanta, GA (RPP 98.8) by about 7.6%.

What salary do I need in Knoxville, TN if I earn $100,000 in Atlanta, GA?

You would need approximately $92,409 in Knoxville, TN to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Atlanta, GA. Formula: $100,000 x (91.3 / 98.8).

Which metro had stronger net migration, Atlanta, GA or Knoxville, TN?

For 2021-2022, Atlanta, GA had a net gain of 17,865 people, while Knoxville, TN had a net gain of 12,154 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

Route comparison

Atlanta, GA vs Knoxville, TN: Cost of Living

Compare the cost of living between Atlanta, GA and Knoxville, TN. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.

Source-verified · June 2026BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2022 (Table 4); HUD FY2024 Fair Market Rents (2-BR) Official source ↗

Atlanta, GA

Overall RPP (US=100): 98.8
Housing RPP: 107.4
Goods RPP: 99.3
2-BR median rent: $1,844/mo

Georgia income tax 5.49% flat. No city income tax.

Knoxville, TN

Overall RPP (US=100): 91.3
Housing RPP: 74.1
Goods RPP: 94.4
2-BR median rent: $1,221/mo

Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.

Equivalent salary

Knoxville, TN is cheaper than Atlanta, GA by about 7.6% (RPP 98.8 to 91.3).

$60,000 in Atlanta, GA

-> $55,445

in Knoxville, TN

$100,000 in Atlanta, GA

-> $92,409

in Knoxville, TN

$150,000 in Atlanta, GA

-> $138,613

in Knoxville, TN

This tool provides estimates only. Equivalent-salary figures are derived from BLS Regional Price Parities (RPP) and HUD Fair Market Rents — they are averages, not guarantees. Actual cost of living varies by neighborhood, lifestyle, and individual circumstances. Not financial advice.

Migration signal: Atlanta, GA vs Knoxville, TN

IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022

Atlanta, GA

Net people: +17,865
Net rank: #10 of 65
Top origin share: 1%
Top destination share: 2%

Largest source: Hall County, GA. Largest destination: Hall County, GA.

Knoxville, TN

Net people: +12,154
Net rank: #13 of 65
Top origin share: 3%
Top destination share: 3%

Largest source: Sevier County, TN. Largest destination: Sevier County, TN.

Rent delta: Knoxville, TN is $623/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Atlanta, GA. Housing RPP moves from 107.4 to 74.1.

Migration figures are derived from IRS SOI county-to-county migration data for 2021-2022, mapped to metros via Census CBSA delineation. Small county-to-county flows are IRS-suppressed, so per-metro totals are lower bounds. Source: IRS SOI migration data.

Frequently asked questions

Is Knoxville, TN cheaper or more expensive than Atlanta, GA?: Knoxville, TN (RPP 91.3) is cheaper than Atlanta, GA (RPP 98.8) by about 7.6%.
What salary do I need in Knoxville, TN if I earn $100,000 in Atlanta, GA?: You would need approximately $92,409 in Knoxville, TN to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Atlanta, GA. Formula: $100,000 x (91.3 / 98.8).
Which metro had stronger net migration, Atlanta, GA or Knoxville, TN?: For 2021-2022, Atlanta, GA had a net gain of 17,865 people, while Knoxville, TN had a net gain of 12,154 people. IRS small-flow suppression means these are lower-bound research signals, not complete population-change totals.

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