Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Knoxville is 44% cheaper than Meridian.

$1,116/mo ↓ 35%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 54%
$50,994/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 94%
$214,000 ↓ 56%
Home Value
$485,000 ↑ 127%
$1,075/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↑ 49%
193,721
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $598/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $7,176/year.

Median household income is $47,692/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Knoxville residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Meridian — common questions

Is Knoxville or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 131 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Meridian?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $598/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Meridian?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $47,692/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Idaho?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Knoxville and Meridian

Knoxville vs. Peoria Knoxville vs. Vancouver Knoxville vs. Huntington Beach Knoxville vs. Glendale Knoxville vs. Overland Park Knoxville vs. Providence Meridian vs. Palm Bay Meridian vs. Vallejo Meridian vs. Allentown Meridian vs. Round Rock Meridian vs. Thousand Oaks Meridian vs. Concord