Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Downey, CA (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Downey

California
169

Knoxville is 56% cheaper than Downey.

$1,116/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$1,892/mo ↑ 70%
$50,994/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$87,400/yr ↑ 71%
$214,000 ↓ 71%
Home Value
$728,500 ↑ 240%
$1,075/mo ↓ 46%
Owner Costs
$1,997/mo ↑ 86%
193,721
Population
111,793

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Downey, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $776/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $9,312/year.

Median household income is $36,406/year higher in Downey. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $728,500 in Downey.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Knoxville residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Downey — common questions

Is Knoxville or Downey cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Downey?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Downey it's $1,892/month — a difference of $776/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Downey?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $87,400 in Downey. Median household income is $36,406/year higher in Downey.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and California?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Downey?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Downey has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,892/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Downey details →

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