Cost of Living & Housing in Knoxville Metro
Knoxville Metro's four places share a genuine, real affordability edge relative to Nashville -- Knoxville itself runs roughly a third cheaper than Nashville on a like-for-like basis -- with Farragut commanding this region's clear premium and Oak Ridge and Maryville filling in as more moderately priced federal-research and small-city alternatives.
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Learn moreKnoxville: A Clear Affordability Standout Against Nashville
Knoxville is a clear cost standout relative to its larger in-state peer: a $325,000 median sale price (Redfin, 3 months ending roughly June 2026) runs 19% below the national average, and directly against Nashville, a typical Knoxville home runs roughly $415,940 versus roughly $534,248 in Nashville -- housing costs about a third less in Knoxville, with overall cost of living cited around 14% below the national average versus Nashville's roughly 2% below.
Farragut: The Region's Premium Suburb
Farragut, a Knox County suburb, runs meaningfully above Knoxville proper at $787,000 (3 months ending May 2026, up a strong 14.9% YoY) -- this region's clear price ceiling, reflecting its status as Knox County's most affluent, top-school-district suburban community.
Oak Ridge: A More Moderate Federal-Research Market
Oak Ridge runs a real, disclosed spread of $395,000-$409,900 depending on the specific source and measurement window (spring 2026) -- a genuinely moderate price point between Knoxville's own affordability and Farragut's premium, reflecting Oak Ridge's distinct identity as a federal-research town rather than a purely residential suburb.
Maryville: Blount County's Own Market
Maryville, Blount County's seat and this region's fourth member place, offers its own distinct small-city housing market, positioned as a genuinely more affordable alternative to Farragut for buyers still wanting a Knoxville-metro-adjacent, Smoky-Mountains-proximate location.
Key takeaways
- Knoxville ($325,000) runs roughly a third cheaper than Nashville on a like-for-like basis -- a clear, genuine affordability standout among Tennessee's Tier A metros.
- Farragut ($787,000, +14.9% YoY) is this region's clear price ceiling, reflecting its status as Knox County's most affluent suburb.
- Oak Ridge ($395,000-$409,900) sits at a moderate price point between Knoxville and Farragut, reflecting its distinct federal-research-town identity.
- Maryville offers a genuinely more affordable Blount County alternative to Farragut, while remaining Knoxville-metro-adjacent and close to the Smokies.
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