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

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Knoxville is 56% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,116/mo ↓ 49%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 96%
$50,994/yr ↓ 50%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 101%
$214,000 ↓ 64%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 177%
$1,075/mo ↓ 52%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 107%
193,721
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,075/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $12,900/year.

Median household income is $51,327/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Knoxville or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Fairfield?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $1,075/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Fairfield?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $51,327/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

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