Cost of LivingUpdated 2026-03-26

Knoxville, Tennessee

In Knoxville, Tennessee, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.64 as of 2026-03-26 — $0.34 below the national average of $3.98. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,716, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Knoxville's cost-of-living index of 92 puts it below the national average of 100.

Key Numbers

Gas (Regular)

$3.64

National: $3.98

198.0%since 2000
AAA Gas Prices

Avg Rent (All)

$1,716

National: $1,900

47.2%since 2000
Zillow ZORI Metro (2026-02)

Grocery Inflation

5.27%

Year-over-year

BLS/FRED CPI

Fast Food Avg

$12.50

Combo meal

5.2%YoY

Electricity

13.1¢

per kWh · ~$118/mo

24.6%vs US avg
EIA Residential

Car Insurance

$139/mo

$1,662/yr

22.7%vs national avg
Bankrate/NAIC

Median Household Income

$71,662

37.2% goes to essentials

37.2%cost burden
Census ACS 2023
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Avg rent $1,716/mo in Knoxville. Browse listings:

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Grocery Prices

Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present

National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓

Eggs (dozen)

Bird flu volatility

$2.58 BLS avg

$1.29 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED)

+156.4%

Milk (gallon)

$4.10 BLS avg

$2.69 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED)

+44.6%

Ground Beef (lb)

$1.48 in 2000$6.75 BLS avg

+354.4%

Bread (loaf)

$1.84 BLS avg

$2.49 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED)

+104.0%

Chicken Breast (lb)

$2.04 BLS avg

$4.99 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED)

+93.5%

Butter (lb)

$5.48 BLS avg

$6.99 @ Fred Meyer - Boise Franklin (FRED)

+29.6%

Bacon (lb)

$8.12 BLS avg

+22.7%

Cheddar Cheese (lb)

$6.47 BLS avg

+14.1%

Pasta (lb)

$1.96 BLS avg

+32.4%

Rice (5 lb)

$5.26 BLS avg

+26.7%

Coffee (12 oz)

$13.25 BLS avg

+48.7%

Orange Juice (64 oz)

Citrus shortage

$5.42 BLS avg

+45.7%

Potatoes (5 lb)

$4.77 BLS avg

+16.1%

Apples (3 lb)

$5.20 BLS avg

+15.8%

Tomatoes (lb)

$2.91 BLS avg

+31.1%

Lettuce (head)

$2.34 BLS avg

+30.0%

Cooking Oil (48 oz)

$7.76 BLS avg

+40.1%

Yogurt (32 oz)

$4.94 BLS avg

+19.0%

Cereal (family size)

$6.20 BLS avg

+29.4%

Frozen Pizza

$8.65 BLS avg

+37.1%

Dining & Restaurants

Fast Food Meal

$12.50

Casual Dining

$21.00

Monthly Spend

$315

+5.2% YoY

Chain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today

Combo meal / typical order for one

McDonald's

2022: $6.99

$11.27

+61.2%

Wendy's

2022: $7.89

$12.17

+54.2%

Chipotle

2022: $8.45

$12.62

+49.3%

Starbucks

2022: $3.80

$5.28

+38.9%

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Looking for an Apartment in Knoxville?

Average 1BR: $1,407/mo · 2BR: $2,025/mo

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Local Workforce

2024 · BLS QCEW

Total Jobs

260k

Median Weekly Pay

$1,251

$65k/yr

Top Sector

Trade, Transportation & Utilities

Household vs Worker Pay

$72k

household median

Employment by Sector — Knoxville

% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend

Trade, Transportation & Utilities
+8.2% 5yr$1,156/wk
21.6%

~$60k/yr

Education & Health Services
+14.8% 5yr$1,266/wk
17.2%

~$66k/yr

Professional & Business Services
+4.3% 5yr$1,521/wk
15.5%

~$79k/yr

Leisure & Hospitality
+8.6% 5yr$517/wk
12.3%

~$27k/yr

Manufacturing
+17.8% 5yr$1,486/wk
5.5%

~$77k/yr

Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 47093

Highest Paying Sector

Financial Activities

$1,750/wk · $91k/yr

Most Workers (lowest wage)

Leisure & Hospitality

$517/wk · $27k/yr

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