CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Knoxville is moderately cheaper than Harrisburg — 6.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $75,100 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing14.0%
Harrisburg
96.3
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries4.5%
Harrisburg
100.7
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation2.6%
Harrisburg
102.6
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare2.6%
Harrisburg
92.8
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities33.5%
Harrisburg
108.1
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$75,100
$4,900 less needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 0.9382. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Knoxville, TN

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

Harrisburg has 14.0% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

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).

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.