Living in Knoxville, TN
Knoxville is the 125th-largest city in the US, home to about 202,000 people in 2025. It has grown 6% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (92.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 202,021+6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $239,7004.4 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,191/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $54,039median, per year
- Price level
- 92.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 48° / 88°lows 30° / 69°
- Average commute
- 20 min13% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Knox County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 906 ft
Metro area: Knoxville, TN
Cost of living in Knoxville
The median home in Knoxville is worth $239,700 and the median household earns $54,039 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,191 a month, about 26% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Knoxville, TN metro area at 92.6, with housing at 82.8 and goods at 96.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $69,400 here. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Tennessee is 9.61%.
What would my salary be worth in Knoxville?
Knoxville weather
Average highs run from 48°F in January to 88°F in July, and January nights average 30°F. It gets 52 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 5 inches of snow. Expect about 37 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 67 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to June and September to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Knoxville
People and work
The median resident is 33.5 years old, and 35% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 47% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 20 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 33.5103rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 35%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 47%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,04698.7 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%3% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 20.2%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1974median year
Who moves to Knoxville, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Nashville (Davidson County), Memphis (Shelby County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Nashville (Davidson County), Murfreesboro (Rutherford County) and Franklin (Williamson County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Knox County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: lightning, tornado, winter weather, strong wind.
Home prices
+3.9% in a year
Up 64% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Knoxville, TN area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
56% good days
2 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Knoxville, TN area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Knoxville
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- South College 2 miles
- Pellissippi State Community College 12 miles
- Carson-Newman University 28 miles
- Maryville College 16 miles
- Johnson University 12 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Knoxville
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| McGhee Tyson Airport TYS | 13 mi | 1,639,080 |
| Asheville Airport AVL | 88 mi | 1,096,465 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Knoxville
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | 3 mi | 30,418 | $18,314 | 74% |
| South College | 2 mi | 8,745 | $17,273 | n/a |
| Pellissippi State Community College | 12 mi | 6,715 | $6,725 | 34% |
| Maryville College | 16 mi | 1,005 | $20,677 | 48% |
| Johnson University | 12 mi | 743 | $23,549 | 60% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Knoxville
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 1, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 24 and the first frost comes around November 2.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Knoxville Mcghee Tyson Airport, TN, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Knoxville.
Wildfire smoke in Knoxville
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Knoxville on about 125 days a year, including about 19 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Knoxville
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 86,263 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Knoxville
Downtown Knoxville is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knox County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 60,185 | 95 | n/a |
Other districts within 10 miles: Blount County School District (10,270 students), Anderson County School District (6,018 students), Alcoa City School District (2,270 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Knoxville's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Knoxville's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Little Rock, AR84% matchCompare
- Springdale, AR80% matchCompare
- Oklahoma City, OK79% matchCompare
- Norman, OK79% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Knoxville
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Knoxville
- Cataloochee Ski Area 57 miles
- Wolf Ridge Ski Resort 81 miles
- Appalachian Ski Mountain 129 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Knoxville
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Commutes are short: 20 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.61% on average with local taxes.
- Data Home prices have climbed fast: up 64% in five years (FHFA).
Knoxville report card from locals
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Cities near Knoxville
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 84 mi | 93,523 | $440,000 | 96.5 | Compare |
| Chattanooga, TN | 100 mi | 194,144 | $283,200 | 91.5 | Compare |
| Greenville, SC | 118 mi | 75,310 | $487,500 | 93.3 | Compare |
| Johns Creek, GA | 136 mi | 80,401 | $629,400 | 100.1 | Compare |
| Roswell, GA | 138 mi | 91,505 | $567,100 | 100.1 | Compare |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 138 mi | 171,178 | $402,100 | 96.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Knoxville with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Knoxville a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, a growing population, no state income tax on wages, short commutes. Compare Knoxville side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Knoxville?
The Census Bureau estimates Knoxville had 202,021 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 190,660 in April 2020 (+6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Knoxville?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $69,400 in the Knoxville area. The median household here earns $54,039.
When is the best time to visit Knoxville?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to June and September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 88°F and January 48°F for daytime highs.
What county is Knoxville in?
Knoxville is in Knox County, Tennessee. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Knoxville in?
Knoxville is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Knoxville?
About 906 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
No. Tennessee does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Knoxville. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Knoxville, TN metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Knoxville Mcghee Tyson Airport, TN station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.