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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Knoxville

Tennessee
74

San Jose is 243% more expensive than Knoxville.

$2,617/mo ↑ 134%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo ↓ 57%
$141,565/yr ↑ 178%
Median Income
$50,994/yr ↓ 64%
$1,187,800 ↑ 455%
Home Value
$214,000 ↓ 82%
$2,775/mo ↑ 158%
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo ↓ 61%
990,054
Population
193,721

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,501/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $18,012/year.

Median household income is $90,571/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Knoxville — common questions

Is San Jose or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Knoxville?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $1,501/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Knoxville?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $90,571/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Tennessee?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,116/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Knoxville details →

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