Route comparison
Memphis, TN vs Knoxville, TN: Cost of Living
Compare the cost of living between Memphis, TN and Knoxville, TN. See the equivalent salary and median rent powered by BLS Regional Price Parities.
Memphis, TN
TN
- Overall RPP (US=100)
- 91.8
- Housing RPP
- 76.6
- Goods RPP
- 94.3
- 2-BR median rent
- $1,298/mo
Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.
Knoxville, TN
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 Memphis, TN by about 0.5% (RPP 91.8 to 91.3).
$60,000 in Memphis, TN
-> $59,673
in Knoxville, TN
$100,000 in Memphis, TN
-> $99,455
in Knoxville, TN
$150,000 in Memphis, TN
-> $149,183
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: Memphis, TN vs Knoxville, TN
IRS tax-return migration · 2021-2022Memphis, TN
- Net people
- −4,235
- Net rank
- #41 of 65
- Top origin share
- 1%
- Top destination share
- 2%
Largest source: Davidson County, TN. Largest destination: Davidson County, TN.
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 $77/mo lower for HUD FY2024 2-BR FMR than Memphis, TN. Housing RPP moves from 76.6 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 Memphis, TN?
- Knoxville, TN (RPP 91.3) is cheaper than Memphis, TN (RPP 91.8) by about 0.5%.
- What salary do I need in Knoxville, TN if I earn $100,000 in Memphis, TN?
- You would need approximately $99,455 in Knoxville, TN to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Memphis, TN. Formula: $100,000 x (91.3 / 91.8).
- Which metro had stronger net migration, Memphis, TN or Knoxville, TN?
- For 2021-2022, Memphis, TN had a net loss of 4,235 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.