Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Palmdale, CA (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Palmdale

California
130

Knoxville is 43% cheaper than Palmdale.

$1,116/mo ↓ 36%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↑ 56%
$50,994/yr ↓ 37%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↑ 59%
$214,000 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$435,300 ↑ 103%
$1,075/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ↑ 70%
193,721
Population
165,487

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $620/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $7,440/year.

Median household income is $30,157/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Knoxville residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Palmdale — common questions

Is Knoxville or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Palmdale?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $620/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Palmdale?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $30,157/year higher in Palmdale.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and California?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Palmdale details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Knoxville and Palmdale

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