Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Knoxville, TN?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 2.6% more expensive than Knoxville, TN. This translates to spending an extra $193 per month.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Knoxville, TN?

If you earn $150,000 in Knoxville, TN, you'd need approximately $152,315.332 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Knoxville, TN and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 3.8% more expensive than in Knoxville, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $1,495/month in Knoxville, TN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Knoxville, TN to Raleigh, NC?

Living in Raleigh, NC costs approximately $193 more per month than Knoxville, TN, or $2315 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Knoxville, TN vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Knoxville, TN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Lexington, KY area

Current salary in Knoxville, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $193/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $152.3K in Raleigh, NC

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

Overall Cost

↑ 2.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$193

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$2.3K

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

Median Home:$369K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:103

Median Home:$512K

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!

Raleigh, NC

The Tar Heel State

474K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Research Triangle
•State capital
•Major university town

Major Industries

TechnologyResearchEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Knoxville, TN vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Knoxville, TN	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,378/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $90.52more	3.8%
⚡All Utilities	$468/mo	$546/mo	↑ $78.07more	16.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,236/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $47.81more	3.9%
🏥Healthcare	$556/mo	$601/mo	↑ $44.94more	8.1%
📦Other	$1,668/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $39.32more	2.4%
🛒Groceries	$967/mo	$959/mo	↓ $8.05less	0.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 3.8%

Knoxville, TN

$2,378

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$90.52

⚡All Utilities

↑ 16.7%

Knoxville, TN

$468

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$78.07

🚗Transportation

↑ 3.9%

Knoxville, TN

$1,236

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$47.81

🏥Healthcare

↑ 8.1%

Knoxville, TN

$556

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$44.94

📦Other

↑ 2.4%

Knoxville, TN

$1,668

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$39.32

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.8%

Knoxville, TN

$967

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$8.05

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,200

To$1,570

↑ $370

1 Bed

From$1,200

To$1,640

↑ $440

2 Bed

From$1,495

To$1,800

↑ $305

3 Bed

From$1,891

To$2,255

↑ $364

Knoxville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $980–$1,480/mo

Raleigh, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400–$1,880/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

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$293

Difference

Home Values

Knoxville

Raleigh

$369K

Median Value

$512K

↑ +0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +64.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$196K - $638K

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 39% more expensive than Knoxville

Calculate payment - Knoxville Calculate payment - Raleigh

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$594

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

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

Raleigh, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Knoxville, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

Raleigh, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

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.