CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
TN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Abilene is slightly cheaper than Knoxville — 2.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $81,900 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+12.2%
Abilene
73.8
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries+2.6%
Abilene
93.8
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.2%
Abilene
101.1
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Abilene
91.4
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities11.5%
Abilene
81.2
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$81,900
$1,900 more needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 1.0243. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Knoxville, TN

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

Knoxville has 12.2% higher housing costs compared to Abilene.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

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).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% 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.