Is Arlington, VA cheaper than Knoxville, TN?

Based on cost of living data, Arlington, VA is 57.0% more expensive than Knoxville, TN. This translates to spending an extra $4277 per month.

What salary do I need in Arlington, VA to live like I do in Knoxville, TN?

If you earn $150,000 in Knoxville, TN, you'd need approximately $201,326.032 in Arlington, VA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Knoxville, TN and Arlington, VA?

Housing in Arlington, VA is 129.6% more expensive than in Knoxville, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,325/month in Arlington, VA compared to $1,495/month in Knoxville, TN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Knoxville, TN to Arlington, VA?

Living in Arlington, VA costs approximately $4277 more per month than Knoxville, TN, or $51326 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Knoxville, TN vs Arlington, VA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Knoxville, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.3K/month more in Arlington, VA

$150.0K in your current city equals $201.3K in Arlington, VA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Knoxville, TN area

Overall Cost

↑ 57.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,277

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$51.3K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Knoxville, TN

Population:198K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$369K

Arlington, VA

Population:239K

Cost Index:

157

(57% above avg)

Median Home:$556K

Knoxville, TN

The Volunteer State

198K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Tennessee, this city has a population of 198K residents.

💡 Advantage: Tennessee has no state income tax!

Arlington, VA

The Old Dominion State

239K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 239K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Knoxville, TN vs Arlington, VA

Category	Knoxville, TN	Arlington, VA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,378/mo	$5,461/mo	↑ $3,083more	129.6%
Transportation	$1,236/mo	$1,842/mo	↑ $605more	49.0%
Other	$1,668/mo	$1,783/mo	↑ $114more	6.9%
Groceries	$967/mo	$1,067/mo	↑ $99.36more	10.3%
Healthcare	$556/mo	$625/mo	↑ $68.60more	12.3%
All Utilities	$468/mo	$502/mo	↑ $33.93more	7.2%

Housing

↑ 129.6%

Knoxville, TN

$2,378

Arlington, VA

$5,461

Difference

$3,083

Transportation

↑ 49.0%

Knoxville, TN

$1,236

Arlington, VA

$1,842

Difference

$605

Other

↑ 6.9%

Knoxville, TN

$1,668

Arlington, VA

$1,783

Difference

$114

Groceries

↑ 10.3%

Knoxville, TN

$967

Arlington, VA

$1,067

Difference

$99.36

Healthcare

↑ 12.3%

Knoxville, TN

$556

Arlington, VA

$625

Difference

$68.60

All Utilities

↑ 7.2%

Knoxville, TN

$468

Arlington, VA

$502

Difference

$33.93

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,200

To$1,578

↑ $378

1 Bed

From$1,200

To$1,827

↑ $627

2 Bed

From$1,495

To$2,325

↑ $830

3 Bed

From$1,891

To$3,239

↑ $1,348

Knoxville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $980–$1,480/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,274

Monthly in Knoxville, TN

$11,279

Monthly in Arlington, VA

$4,005

Difference

Home Values

Knoxville

Arlington

$369K

Median Value

↑ +0.7%

YoY Change

↑ +64.1%

5-Year Change

$196K - $638K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Knoxville

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $8.4K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$697

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.6%

Rate difference

Knoxville, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Arlington, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

Additional Tax Information

Knoxville, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

Arlington, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.