South ranking
7 Tennessee cities ranked by cost of living, cheapest first.
Index 82
Index 141
Sorted by cost-of-living index — lowest (most affordable) first.
| # | City | Cost index | Median rent | Median income | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | 82 | $1,043/mo | $48,309 | 192K | Compare → |
| 2 | Memphis | 83 | $1,050/mo | $48,090 | 630K | Compare → |
| 3 | Chattanooga | 84 | $1,066/mo | $57,703 | 181K | Compare → |
| 4 | Clarksville | 88 | $1,119/mo | $62,688 | 168K | Compare → |
| 5 | Murfreesboro | 100 | $1,272/mo | $70,451 | 153K | Compare → |
| 6 | Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance) | 110 | $1,392/mo | $71,328 | 684K | Compare → |
| 7 | Franklin | 141 | $1,785/mo | $106,592 | 84K | Compare → |
Across Tennessee, Knoxville is the most affordable city we track (cost index 82, with median rent around $1,043/mo), while Franklin sits at the top of the range with an index of 141—roughly 71% pricier than Knoxville. Use the table above to compare any Tennessee city directly against Knoxville.
The other end of the ranking — priciest first.