Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Waterbury, CT (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Waterbury

Connecticut
76

Knoxville and Waterbury have a similar cost of living.

$1,116/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,180/mo ↑ 6%
$50,994/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$51,642/yr ↑ 1%
$214,000 ↑ 15%
Home Value
$185,400 ↓ 13%
$1,075/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,273/mo ↑ 18%
193,721
Population
114,356

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.99%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.64%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Waterbury, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $64/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $768/year.

Median household income is $648/year higher in Waterbury. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $185,400 in Waterbury.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Knoxville residents a significant tax advantage over Connecticut's 6.99% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Waterbury — common questions

Is Knoxville or Waterbury cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 76 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Waterbury?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Waterbury it's $1,180/month — a difference of $64/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Waterbury?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $51,642 in Waterbury. Median household income is $648/year higher in Waterbury.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Connecticut?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Waterbury?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/mo, while Waterbury has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Knoxville details → View Waterbury details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Knoxville and Waterbury

Knoxville vs. Peoria Knoxville vs. Vancouver Knoxville vs. Huntington Beach Knoxville vs. Glendale Knoxville vs. Overland Park Knoxville vs. Providence Waterbury vs. Carlsbad Waterbury vs. Provo Waterbury vs. East Los Angeles Waterbury vs. Elgin Waterbury vs. Lowell Waterbury vs. Odessa