CostIndexUSA

Bellingham, WA vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Bellingham
103.3
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Knoxville is moderately cheaper than Bellingham — 10.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bellingham, you would need $71,700 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.7%
Bellingham
112.9
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries8.4%
Bellingham
105
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.3%
Bellingham
104.4
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Bellingham
94.5
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities28.0%
Bellingham
99.9
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$71,700
$8,300 less needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8964. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bellingham, WA

Median Home Price
$598,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
112.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.6×

Knoxville, TN

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

Bellingham has 26.7% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

Income & Job Market

Bellingham, WA

Median Household Income
$74,900
Per Capita Income
$42,700
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
92,314
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingTourism

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).

Bellingham, WA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.