CostIndexUSA

Cincinnati, OH vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Knoxville is slightly cheaper than Cincinnati — 2.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cincinnati, you would need $77,600 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing5.5%
Cincinnati
87.6
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries+2.6%
Cincinnati
93.8
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.9%
Cincinnati
104
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare3.9%
Cincinnati
94.1
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities21.0%
Cincinnati
91
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Cincinnati to see what you'd need to earn in Knoxville to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$77,600
$2,400 less needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 95.4) = salary × 0.9706. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Home Price
$296,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
87.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Knoxville, TN

Median Home Price
$352,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
82.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Cincinnati has 5.5% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

Income & Job Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Household Income
$77,800
Per Capita Income
$44,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
309,317
Top Industries
FinanceManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnology

Knoxville, TN

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
190,740
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingTourismGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Cincinnati, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Knoxville, TN
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.