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

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Knoxville is 47% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,116/mo ↓ 38%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 61%
$50,994/yr ↓ 64%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 177%
$214,000 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 124%
$1,075/mo ↓ 46%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 87%
193,721
Population
116,916

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
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $676/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $8,112/year.

Median household income is $90,359/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Knoxville or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $676/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $90,359/year higher in The Woodlands.
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 The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

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