Living in Knoxville, TN
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

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• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Knoxville, TN? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Knoxville, TN

Go, Big Orange! That’s the chant you hear in the fall during football season in Knoxville, TN, when home games fill up the 101,915-seat stadium at the University of Tennessee. The university is the lifeblood of this city, contributing to the economy in a big way.

However, people moving to Knoxville will quickly learn that life outside the university’s sphere is just as great. Knoxville is the largest city in East Tennessee and offers unbeatable amenities for its 206,721 residents to enjoy. Those range from a fabulous arts and culture atmosphere to terrific restaurants, fun shopping and lively nightlife centered around Market Square and the downtown district. The historic Tennessee Theatre and Bijou Theatre, just off the square, host a variety of concerts, performing arts and touring Broadway shows throughout the year. 

The Tennessee River runs through the heart of the city, and its proximity to the natural world (and Great Smoky Mountains National Park) offers boundless opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as fishing, hiking, biking, camping and backpacking. Getting around this vibrant metro area is easy-peasy, with shuttles, scooters, buses and a free trolley! And there’s ample parking – free in many places in the evening and on weekends – including right in the heart of downtown. The city is walkable and bike-friendly, with 112 miles of greenways and “soft-surface” trails. Since this city is on the move, it’s no surprise that business is booming here, with big-name firms such as Regal Cinemas, the Tennessee Valley Authority and Pilot Flying J. The job market is diverse, too, employing people in fields ranging from education and government to retail and health care. Knoxville packs a big punch while maintaining a relatively low cost of living.

Top Reasons to Move to Knoxville

• Knoxville is an innovation hub thanks to the University of Tennessee and nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
• Knoxville is an urban oasis and is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and the most visited national park in the country.
• Living in Knoxville is highly affordable, with a low cost of living, no state income tax and utility costs significantly below the national average.
• Home to the University of Tennessee and its SEC sports, creative energy and research facilities, Knoxville is a quintessential college town. 

Knoxville is a lively city in eastern Tennessee, about 180 miles east of Nashville, accessible via Interstates 40 and 75. McGhee Tyson Airport is 12 miles south, offering flights to Atlanta, Charlotte and other hubs. Nearby major cities include:

• Nashville is just 180 miles west, perfect for a day trip to catch live music, visit the Ryman Auditorium or explore the Frist Art Museum.
• Chattanooga sits just 110 miles southwest, perfect for families visiting the Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls and the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
• Asheville, NC, is roughly 115 miles east, boasting the Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Parkway and an eclectic downtown.

Although temperatures usually remain moderate overall, be prepared for many days of heat and humidity in the summer, with a nice reprieve in the winter when temps drop, and there could even be occasional (though minimal) snow.

Thanks to the city’s growth across several diverse industries, it’s easy to see why so many students come here for college and stay to build a career. Advanced manufacturing, education and research, and technology are three large industries contributing to Knoxville’s robust economy. The University of Tennessee, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Pilot Company are some of the major companies operating here. Additionally, companies like Scripps Network Interactive and Regal Cinemas are headquartered in the area. 

The cost of living in Knoxville is below the national average. The median home value in Knoxville is $326,479, and the average household income is $56,331.

There is not a state income tax in Tennessee. In 2026, the combined sales tax rate in Knoxville is 9.25%.

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In 2016, Knoxville became the first designated Etsy Maker City, with an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports creative businesses. Establishing a Maker City aims to connect creators to local government entities that support entrepreneurs, sustainability and responsible manufacturing and create opportunities to help them expand their enterprises.

Created under the leadership of the Mayor’s Maker Council and the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, the Maker City hosts an annual summit as well as ongoing meetups where makers share knowledge and tools to grow their businesses. The maker directory helps connect consumers with handmade goods, retailers with locally made items to sell and businesses with small-scale manufacturers and fabricators.

Small Businesses Find Success in Knoxville, TN

Rocky Top is home sweet home to many, and it’s easy to see why. You’ll never spend a day with nothing to do in Knoxville, from the city’s thriving arts and culture scene to events and festivals. There are many museums, galleries and venues, including the Tennessee and Bijou Theatres, and Market Square and Gay Street offer various shopping options. Knoxville is known for its festivals, like the Dogwood Arts Festival and the Big Ears Music Festival. There are plenty of attractions, like the World’s Fair Park, home to the iconic Sunsphere, and sports fans can cheer on the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Speaking of sports, Knoxville is home to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Knoxville is super kid-friendly, too. Take them to check out the World’s Largest Rubik’s Cube or Zoo Knoxville, which specializes in conserving and protecting endangered species. When you’re downtown during the summer, expect to see Concerts on the Square in the form of Jazz on Tuesdays and Variety on Thursdays.

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Its location in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains means there are plenty of places to explore. The Knoxville Urban Wilderness, a sprawling area encompassing Ijams Nature Center and Mead’s Quarry, offers many recreational opportunities to those living in Knoxville, including hiking, biking, climbing, swimming, paddling and ziplining at Navitat’s treetop adventures. Ijams Nature Center has more than 10 miles of trails and water activities, while Baker Creek Preserve caters to mountain biking enthusiasts with its 10 miles of trails. Pack a picnic and spend an afternoon at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum.

The city features over 100 miles of greenways and trails, including popular spots like Lakeshore Park, Suttree’s Landing and World’s Fair Park. And, thanks to its location along the Tennessee River, residents can enjoy a vast number of water activities, including paddling in the historic Mead’s Quarry. Looking to make friends? Knox County Parks & Recreation offers tons of intramural sports and various public and private golf courses. 

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Foodies rejoice when eating their way through Knoxville. The downtown area, particularly Gay Street, has a wide variety of dining options, from Southern comfort to Colombian cuisine. Iconic local eateries like Petro’s, a World’s Fair original, and Yassin’s Falafel House, recognized as one of America’s “Nicest Places,” highlight the city’s culinary identity. Take the kids to Cruze Dairy Farm, a family farm with two ice cream shops and a pizza barn that hosts drive-in movie nights. Or, enjoy a campus classic by grabbing a steamed sandwich from Gus’ Good Times Deli. You might even run into football legend Peyton Manning, who stops every time he’s in town.

The craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, evolving from traditional brewpubs to innovative spots like Balter Beeworks and Crafty Bastard Brewery, which emphasize locally sourced ingredients and unique brewing styles. Breweries like Printshop Beer Company and Pretentious Beer Company offer creative experiences, combining craft beer with art workshops and glassblowing. Looking to sip on something on the softer side? There are tons of coffee shops around town, too.

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Local residents are highly educated, and students can receive a smart start through Knox County Schools. It is one of the largest districts in Tennessee, serving more than 60,000 students, and offers both traditional and specialized options like magnet and charter schools. There is a significant number of private schools here, many of which are religiously affiliated. Webb School of Knoxville, Knoxville Catholic and Christian Academy of Knoxville are among the highest-ranking private schools. 

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