Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Knoxville is 48% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,116/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 22%
$50,994/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 15%
$214,000 ↑ 130%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 56%
$1,075/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 23%
193,721
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
3.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $250/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $3,000/year.

Median household income is $7,540/year higher in Knoxville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Knoxville residents a significant tax advantage over Ohio's 3.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Dayton — common questions

Is Knoxville or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Dayton?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $250/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Dayton?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $7,540/year higher in Knoxville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Ohio?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Dayton details →

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