Providence vs Knoxville: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Providence, RI and Knoxville, TN, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Providence, RI | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,715 | 191,857 |
| Median household income | $61,365 | $48,309 |
| Median home value | $293,000 | $184,200 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,214 | $1,043 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Providence, RI and Knoxville, TN comes down to what you value most. Knoxville has the lower median home value, and Knoxville has the lower median rent.
Providence has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Knoxville?
- By median home value, Knoxville is the cheaper of the two ($184,200 vs $293,000). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Providence or Knoxville?
- Median household income is $61,365 in Providence versus $48,309 in Knoxville, per the US Census Bureau.