Cost of Living: Wichita, KS vs Knoxville, TN (2026)

Wichita

Kansas
65
VS

Knoxville

Tennessee
74

Wichita is 12% cheaper than Knoxville.

$960/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,116/mo ↑ 16%
$63,072/yr ↑ 24%
Median Income
$50,994/yr ↓ 19%
$179,500 ↓ 16%
Home Value
$214,000 ↑ 19%
$994/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,075/mo ↑ 8%
396,488
Population
193,721

Tax Comparison

5.7%
Income Tax
0%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
1.41%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

18.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wichita, KS and Knoxville, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 65 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $156/month cheaper in Wichita, saving renters about $1,872/year.

Median household income is $12,078/year higher in Wichita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wichita is $179,500 compared to $214,000 in Knoxville.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Knoxville residents a significant tax advantage over Kansas's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wichita vs Knoxville — common questions

Is Wichita or Knoxville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wichita is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wichita and Knoxville?
Median rent in Wichita is $960/month and in Knoxville it's $1,116/month — a difference of $156/month.
Which city has higher income, Wichita or Knoxville?
Median household income is $63,072 in Wichita and $50,994 in Knoxville. Median household income is $12,078/year higher in Wichita.
How do taxes compare between Kansas and Tennessee?
Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Wichita or Knoxville?
It depends on your priorities. Wichita has a cost index of 65 with median rent of $960/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 Wichita details → View Knoxville details →

More Comparisons

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