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Cost of Living in Knox County, TN

Population 494,148 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,261
Median home value$320,900
Median household income$74,222

The median rent in Knox County, TN is $1,261/month, 6% higher than the Tennessee median and 11% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $320,900, 4% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $74,222 a year, 7% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 20.4%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $50,440/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 4.3×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,623/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Knox County vs. Tennessee vs. U.S.

Knox CountyTennesseeU.S.
Median rent$1,261$1,189$1,413
Median home value$320,900$286,700$332,700
Median household income$74,222$69,595$80,734
Homeownership rate65.2%66.9%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher41.0%31.1%35.7%
Poverty rate12.2%13.8%12.5%
Unemployment rate3.5%4.7%5.2%
Work from home14.4%12.9%15.1%
Median age37.438.938.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Knox County, TN?

The median gross rent in Knox County, TN is $1,261 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Knox County, TN?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $50,440 a year in gross income.

Is Knox County, TN expensive to live in?

Rent there is 11% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 4.3 times the median household income.

Other counties in Tennessee

Shelby County, TNRent $1,232 · Income $63,767Davidson County, TNRent $1,582 · Income $77,853Hamilton County, TNRent $1,253 · Income $76,183Rutherford County, TNRent $1,502 · Income $85,470Williamson County, TNRent $1,969 · Income $135,594Montgomery County, TNRent $1,308 · Income $75,613

Counties with a similar cost of living

Meade County, SDRent $1,264 · Income $74,790Smith County, TXRent $1,238 · Income $74,192Camden County, GARent $1,235 · Income $74,378Autauga County, ALRent $1,263 · Income $72,481Walla Walla County, WARent $1,218 · Income $74,202Carson City, NVRent $1,248 · Income $72,355

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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