Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Knoxville is 4% cheaper than Lafayette.

$1,116/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 5%
$50,994/yr ↓ 17%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↑ 21%
$214,000 ↓ 15%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 17%
$1,075/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 2%
193,721
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $51/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $612/year.

Median household income is $10,460/year higher in Lafayette. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Knoxville residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Knoxville or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Lafayette?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $51/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Lafayette?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $10,460/year higher in Lafayette.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Louisiana?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Lafayette details →

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