Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs McAllen, TX (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

McAllen

Texas
66

Knoxville is 12% more expensive than McAllen.

$1,116/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$1,017/mo ↓ 9%
$50,994/yr ↓ 15%
Median Income
$60,165/yr ↑ 18%
$214,000 ↑ 23%
Home Value
$173,800 ↓ 19%
$1,075/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$996/mo ↓ 7%
193,721
Population
143,789

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and McAllen, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $99/month cheaper in McAllen, saving renters about $1,188/year.

Median household income is $9,171/year higher in McAllen. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $173,800 in McAllen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs McAllen — common questions

Is Knoxville or McAllen cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, McAllen is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and McAllen?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in McAllen it's $1,017/month — a difference of $99/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or McAllen?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $60,165 in McAllen. Median household income is $9,171/year higher in McAllen.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Texas?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or McAllen?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while McAllen has a cost index of 66 with rent of $1,017/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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