CostIndexUSA

Fresno, CA vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Knoxville is moderately cheaper than Fresno — 9.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fresno, you would need $72,500 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing13.5%
Fresno
95.7
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Fresno
105.2
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation5.1%
Fresno
105.3
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare5.1%
Fresno
95.3
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities55.3%
Fresno
161
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$72,500
$7,500 less needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 102.2) = salary × 0.9061. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Knoxville, TN

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

Fresno has 13.5% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

Income & Job Market

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

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).

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.