Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

Knoxville is 44% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,116/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 59%
$50,994/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 57%
$214,000 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 113%
$1,075/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 65%
193,721
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $660/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $7,920/year.

Median household income is $28,941/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is Knoxville or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $660/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $28,941/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Florida?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

More Comparisons

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