CostIndexUSA

Bloomington, IN vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IN
Bloomington
95.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Knoxville is slightly cheaper than Bloomington — 2.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bloomington, you would need $77,900 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing3.3%
Bloomington
85.6
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries+2.0%
Bloomington
94.3
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.0%
Bloomington
104.1
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare4.0%
Bloomington
94.2
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities16.9%
Bloomington
86.5
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$77,900
$2,100 less needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 95.1) = salary × 0.9737. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bloomington, IN

Median Home Price
$288,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
85.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.5×

Knoxville, TN

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

Bloomington has 3.3% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

Income & Job Market

Bloomington, IN

Median Household Income
$58,700
Per Capita Income
$33,500
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
79,168
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyGovernmentRetail

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).

Bloomington, IN
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.