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

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Gainesville

Florida
81

Knoxville is 9% cheaper than Gainesville.

$1,116/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,214/mo ↑ 9%
$50,994/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$45,611/yr ↓ 11%
$214,000 ↓ 9%
Home Value
$235,000 ↑ 10%
$1,075/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,167/mo ↑ 9%
193,721
Population
143,611

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
31.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Gainesville, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $98/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $1,176/year.

Median household income is $5,383/year higher in Knoxville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $235,000 in Gainesville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Gainesville — common questions

Is Knoxville or Gainesville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Gainesville?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Gainesville it's $1,214/month — a difference of $98/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Gainesville?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $45,611 in Gainesville. Median household income is $5,383/year higher in Knoxville.
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 Gainesville?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,214/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Gainesville details →

More Comparisons

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