CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
TN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Bismarck is slightly cheaper than Knoxville — 1.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $81,400 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing1.4%
Bismarck
84
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bismarck
95.7
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation+4.4%
Bismarck
95.7
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare+4.4%
Bismarck
86.6
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities4.1%
Bismarck
75
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$81,400
$1,400 more needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.0176. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Knoxville, TN

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

Bismarck has 1.4% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

Income & Job Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

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).

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.