CostIndexUSA

Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Fort Lauderdale
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Knoxville is significantly cheaper than Fort Lauderdale — 18.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Lauderdale, you would need $64,900 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing46.8%
Fort Lauderdale
155.6
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries7.1%
Fort Lauderdale
103.6
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation12.8%
Fort Lauderdale
114.6
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare12.8%
Fort Lauderdale
103.7
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities26.0%
Fort Lauderdale
97.2
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$64,900
$15,100 less needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 114.2) = salary × 0.8109. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Median Home Price
$467,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,650
Housing Index
155.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.7×

Knoxville, TN

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

Fort Lauderdale has 46.8% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

Income & Job Market

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Median Household Income
$76,300
Per Capita Income
$43,500
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
182,760
Top Industries
FinanceTourismHealthcareReal EstateMarine

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).

Fort Lauderdale, FL
2.4×income-to-rent ratio

58% 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.