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Knoxville, Tennessee Retirement Guide
low home pricestax-friendly for retirees
63
Retirement Score
Knoxville, Tennessee at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $237,300
- State Income Tax
- No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.
- Avg January Low
- 32.6°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 91.8 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- low home prices, tax-friendly for retirees
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 63 / 100
Things to Consider
- limited healthcare options
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
91.8 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$237,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,076High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
36.8 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
41.5 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
36.8 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
89.3°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
32.6°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
45"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
302 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
63.3 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
34.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
4.6 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
191,857High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
33.4High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
14.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$48,309High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
46.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
6.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
33.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
20.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
73.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
16.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
5.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
1.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Knoxville using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$514
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$577
Median home price used: $237,300
Median rent reference: $1,076 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.