CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Knoxville is moderately cheaper than Boise — 5.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $75,300 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing21.6%
Boise
105.6
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boise
96.2
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.8%
Boise
103.9
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare3.8%
Boise
94
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities+1.7%
Boise
70.7
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.9411. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boise, ID

Median Home Price
$479,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8×

Knoxville, TN

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

Boise has 21.6% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

Income & Job Market

Boise, ID

Median Household Income
$82,500
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
235,984
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingFinanceAgriculture

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).

Boise, ID
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.