Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Knoxville, TN (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Knoxville

Tennessee
74

Arlington is 28% more expensive than Knoxville.

$1,389/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo ↓ 20%
$73,519/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$50,994/yr ↓ 31%
$276,400 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$214,000 ↓ 23%
$1,420/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo ↓ 24%
394,769
Population
193,721

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $273/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $3,276/year.

Median household income is $22,525/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Knoxville — common questions

Is Arlington or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Knoxville?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $273/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Knoxville?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $22,525/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Tennessee?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,116/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Knoxville details →

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