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

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Knoxville is 78% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,116/mo ↓ 64%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 175%
$50,994/yr ↓ 72%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 257%
$214,000 ↓ 88%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 749%
$1,075/mo ↓ 64%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 181%
193,721
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,949/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $23,388/year.

Median household income is $130,868/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Knoxville or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,949/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $130,868/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Sunnyvale details →

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