CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
TN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Knoxville — 8.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $86,400 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+53.3%
Joplin
54
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries+2.1%
Joplin
94.2
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation+2.3%
Joplin
97.7
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Joplin
88.4
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities16.3%
Joplin
85.9
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$86,400
$6,400 more needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.0805. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Knoxville, TN

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

Knoxville has 53.3% higher housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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).

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.