Cost of Living: Tallahassee, FL vs Knoxville, TN (2026)

Tallahassee

Florida
87
VS

Knoxville

Tennessee
74

Tallahassee is 18% more expensive than Knoxville.

$1,238/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo ↓ 10%
$55,931/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$50,994/yr ↓ 9%
$276,000 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$214,000 ↓ 22%
$1,237/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo ↓ 13%
199,696
Population
193,721

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

26.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tallahassee, FL and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 87 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $122/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $1,464/year.

Median household income is $4,937/year higher in Tallahassee. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tallahassee is $276,000 compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tallahassee vs Knoxville — common questions

Is Tallahassee or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 87 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tallahassee and Knoxville?
Median rent in Tallahassee is $1,238/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $122/month.
Which city has higher income, Tallahassee or Knoxville?
Median household income is $55,931 in Tallahassee and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $4,937/year higher in Tallahassee.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Tennessee?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Tallahassee or Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with median rent of $1,238/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.
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