Quick answer
St. Louis costs $135/month less overall ($1,580 vs $1,715/mo). But Knoxville's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,960/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Knoxville vs St. Louis
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Knoxville vs St. Louis at a Glance
| Metric | Knoxville | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,200 | $1,380 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,380 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $280K | $215K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $150 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $365 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,715 | $1,580 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 34/100 | 52/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 22/100 | 38/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | Up to 4.95% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: St. Louis's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,200 in Knoxville — a $100/month difference, or $1,200/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Knoxville charges None state income tax vs Up to 4.95% in St. Louis. On an $80K salary that's a $3,960/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,940 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in St. Louis are $215K vs $280K in Knoxville. At a 20% down payment, that's a $13,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Knoxville utilities run $5 more per month than St. Louis. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Knoxville, TN
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Knoxville. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Knoxville
Humid subtropical; winters average 40°F, summers 85-88°F; 200+ sunny days/year
St. Louis
Four seasons; hot humid summers, cold winters with ice storms, severe thunderstorm season
Job Market
Knoxville top industries
St. Louis top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Knoxville if…
- →You're a Graduate students and academics (UT, Oak Ridge employment)
- →You're a Research scientists and engineers
- →You're a Remote workers seeking extreme affordability
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts with proximity to Smoky Mountains
- →You want zero state income tax
Move to St. Louis if…
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a value-seekers
- →You're a manufacturing professionals
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
St. Louis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,580 in St. Louis vs $1,715 in Knoxville — a $135/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Knoxville or St. Louis?
St. Louis is more walkable with a Walk Score of 52/100 vs 34/100. Knoxville is more car-dependent.
Knoxville vs St. Louis: which has lower state income tax?
Knoxville has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,960/year vs St. Louis (Up to 4.95%).
Is Knoxville or St. Louis better for buying a home?
St. Louis has lower median home prices at $215K vs $280K in Knoxville — a $65,000 difference on the median home.