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

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

Knoxville is 19% cheaper than Palm Bay.

$1,116/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↑ 33%
$50,994/yr ↓ 24%
Median Income
$67,521/yr ↑ 32%
$214,000 ↓ 14%
Home Value
$248,000 ↑ 16%
$1,075/mo ↓ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↑ 12%
193,721
Population
125,273

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
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $371/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $4,452/year.

Median household income is $16,527/year higher in Palm Bay. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is Knoxville or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Palm Bay?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $371/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $16,527/year higher in Palm Bay.
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 Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Palm Bay details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Knoxville and Palm Bay

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