CostIndexUSA

Jersey City, NJ vs Knoxville, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Knoxville
92.6
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Knoxville is significantly cheaper than Jersey City — 17.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jersey City, you would need $65,800 in Knoxville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing44.3%
Jersey City
148.6
Knoxville
82.8
🛒 Groceries12.8%
Jersey City
110.3
Knoxville
96.2
🚗 Transportation10.1%
Jersey City
111.1
Knoxville
99.9
🏥 Healthcare10.0%
Jersey City
100.5
Knoxville
90.4
Utilities43.4%
Jersey City
127
Knoxville
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Knoxville, TN
$65,800
$14,200 less needed in Knoxville

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.8224. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jersey City, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Knoxville, TN

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

Jersey City has 44.3% lower housing costs compared to Knoxville.

Income & Job Market

Jersey City, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
292,449
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareTechnologyRetailGovernment

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).

Jersey City, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.