Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Tuscaloosa

Alabama
73

Knoxville and Tuscaloosa have a similar cost of living.

$1,116/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$1,005/mo ↓ 10%
$50,994/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$48,536/yr ↓ 5%
$214,000 ↓ 10%
Home Value
$236,600 ↑ 11%
$1,075/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,038/mo ↓ 3%
193,721
Population
107,699

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Tuscaloosa, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $111/month cheaper in Tuscaloosa, saving renters about $1,332/year.

Median household income is $2,458/year higher in Knoxville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $236,600 in Tuscaloosa.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Knoxville residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Tuscaloosa — common questions

Is Knoxville or Tuscaloosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tuscaloosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Tuscaloosa?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Tuscaloosa it's $1,005/month — a difference of $111/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Tuscaloosa?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $48,536 in Tuscaloosa. Median household income is $2,458/year higher in Knoxville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Alabama?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Tuscaloosa?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Tuscaloosa has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,005/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Tuscaloosa details →

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