Aerial view of Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, during sunset

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Living in Knoxville, TN: 15 Things To Know Before Moving to the Marble City

Knoxville Tennessee

by Matt Lyons Posted on December 16, 2024

Situated on the Tennessee River at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the artsy, historical, and charming city of Knoxville is considered one of the best places to live in the state. More than just a college town for the University of Tennessee, you can expect The Marble City to deliver beautiful historical homes, endless nature activities, exquisite dining options, and so much more when living in Knoxville, TN.

Planning a move to Knoxville? Start by getting a quote from PODS.

Knoxville at a Glance

Knoxville is around a three-hour drive away from Nashville, and closer to a six-hour drive from Memphis.
Knoxville has a total area of approximately 104 square miles.
The population of Knoxville sits at almost 198,200.
The median age in Knoxville is 33.4 years old.

1. The Cost of Living in Knoxville, TN, Is Lower Than Average.

Why are so many people moving to Knoxville? Even though Knoxville has had recent surges in things like food costs and utility prices, the cost of living is still quite affordable overall — a huge factor that contributes to the influx of new residents each year. With a cost of living index of 91.8, Knoxville is pretty close to the state average of 89.9, but it’s even more affordable than the nation’s average of 100.

Q: How much do you need to make to live comfortably in Knoxville?
A: To cover your basic needs when living in Knoxville, TN, a single adult should expect to make at least $43,400 annually before taxes, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator. But if you’re looking to live comfortably, it’s worth noting that the median household income in Knoxville per the Census is around $51,000. And per a 2024 GoBankingRates study, earning anywhere between $43,500 and $130,500 in Tennessee is considered middle class.

2. The Pros and Cons of Living in Knoxville, TN, Range From Outdoorsy Fun to Hot Summers.

Pro: Outdoor Activities

Because Knoxville is situated right in the middle of picturesque Cumberland and the Great Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of fun outdoor recreation activities to choose from. Some of these include hiking, fishing, and camping.

Con: Hot Summers

There are certainly fun things to do outside while living in Knoxville, but the southern heat can definitely have an impact if you’re not used to the temperatures. In comparison to other southern cities, though, it’s not too bad. You can expect temperatures to heat up around the end of May, and then they’ll cool back down toward the end of September.

Pro: Strong Economy

With a low unemployment rate and job opportunities available for all walks of life, Knoxville attracts so many new residents each year.

Con: Land-Locked Area

Just like the entire state of Tennessee, Knoxville is land-locked, which means that it has no oceanfront coastline. However, you can still explore the city’s lakes and rivers!

A small, brick single-family home in the South Knoxville neighborhood in Knoxville, Tennessee
The average home value in Knoxville is up three percent since last year and has been steadily on the rise over the past decade.
(Source: Caroline McDonald via Facebook)

3. The Knoxville Housing and Rental Market Is Reasonable But On the Rise.

The average home value in Knoxville is roughly $350,600, which is up three percent since last year — and has been steadily rising over the past several years. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Knoxville is a little more than $1,750.

Single-family homes and high-rise apartments are most popular in the area, and some of Knoxville’s neighborhoods are the best you can find in the entire state.

Q: Is Knoxville a good place to live in Tennessee?
A: Knoxville is a great place to live on its own, thanks to its gorgeous outdoor activities, steady job market, and energized sports culture. But if you’re looking to compare living in Knoxville, TN, to the state’s other largest cities, here’s a quick summary of how it stacks up:

Knoxville has less crime than Memphis and about the same amount of crime as Nashville.
Living in Knoxville, TN, means experiencing a lower cost of living than in Nashville, but higher than in Memphis.

4. The Best Places To Live in Knoxville Include Sequoyah Hills, SoKno, and Happy Holler.

Sequoyah Hills

Located off Kingston Pike in West Knoxville, Sequoyah Hills is a neighborhood that dates back to the 1920s. It has a variety of architecture styles and is named after Chief Sequoyah — the scholar responsible for developing the Cherokee written language. The laid-back atmosphere makes it perfect for retirees!

SoKno

SoKno is a neighborhood located in South Knoxville, Tennessee. It’s connected to downtown by several bridges, including the James C. Ford Memorial Bridge, the Gay Street Bridge, and the J. E. “Buck” Karnes Bridge, making it an ideal place to reside for young professionals and those raising families.

Happy Holler Historic District

The Happy Holler neighborhood is located in North Knoxville, about five minutes away from downtown. It's associated with various establishments, such as bars and restaurants filled with singles and young professionals. The name of this area comes from the era when it was known for its wild reputation!

Street-level view of Downtown Knoxville on a rainy day. Cars are traveling down the streets past charming storefronts and the light poles are decorated for the winter holiday season. A large sign with the word “TENNESSEE” is featured on the side of a large building in the background.
You’d be well advised to have a car when living in Knoxville, TN, as relying on public transit may leave you late or stranded in many cases.

5. You’ll Want a Car When Living in Knoxville, TN.

If you're planning on moving to Knoxville, you’re going to need a car. The city itself has a transit score of 27, a walk score of 31, and a bike score of 30.

The city’s public transit system isn’t great, and there are not a lot of buses around. The Knoxville Area Transit is also not very extensive, and at the time of writing this, the buses are operating on a reduced schedule due to staffing shortages.

6. Living in Knoxville Means Access to Some Highly Rated School Districts.

One of the biggest concerns for families living in Knoxville is the quality of education in the city. Fortunately, many of the area's schools are rated highly.

Despite some challenges that Knox County schools have faced, the state recognizes two local school districts — Maryville and Oak Ridge — as exemplary. Maryville is No. 1 on Niche’s list for Best School Districts in Tennessee, while Oak Ridge is ranked No. 2 (behind Maryville) on Niche’s list for Best School Districts in the Knoxville Area.

7. There Are Many Higher-Education Opportunities in Knoxville, TN.

If you're looking for a great higher education in Knoxville, you'll find plenty of opportunities. The city is home to institutions like Strayer University, Lincoln Memorial College, Knoxville College, and Johnson University (though that’s not all of them).

The biggest and most prestigious, by far, is the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, with more than 36,000 students studying for graduate, undergraduate, and other professional academic programs. UT is a cultural staple for not only Knoxville but the entirety of Tennessee, with grads finding work across the state.

8. Sports Fan Culture Is a Big Part of Living in Knoxville, TN.

Is Knoxville a good place to live? If you’re a fan of watching, talking about, and cheering on your favorite local sports teams, then it absolutely is. When it comes to the sports scene in Knoxville, the first thing most people think of is the University of Tennessee’s Vols (Volunteers) football team. Neyland Stadium regularly packs 100,000+ in on Saturdays, sometimes more when rivals Alabama and Florida come to town. Knoxville's population explodes in the fall, with Vols coming in from across the state to show their support for UT.

Rousing renditions of Rocky Top ring throughout the town all day and night, in victory or defeat. The passion of its students, alumni, and fans makes UT one of the toughest places for opposing teams to play in all of college football.

Though Tennessee is definitively a "football school," its other sports programs are legendary, as well, most notably its women's basketball team, the Lady Volunteers. Coach Pat Summitt led the team for over 40 years and during that span, the Vols dominated the SEC and won eight NCAA titles. The mark she left on Tennessee, and the NCAA as a whole, is permanent: She was even recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

However, there are other professional sports teams not associated with the university. If you’re living in Knoxville, TN, be sure to check out:

The Knoxville Ice Bears hockey team, who are known for their family-friendly atmosphere.
The Hard Knox Roller Derby is the region's first (and only) all-women professional flat-track roller league. This league is known for providing an intense experience to its fans.
The Knoxville Smokies are a minor league baseball team that provides a more laid-back atmosphere, which is great for a nice day spent at Smokies Stadium.

Sunset in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Knoxville, Tennessee

There are so many wonderful ways to spend time outdoors when living in Knoxville, TN, and hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of them.

9. Short Winters and Hot Summers Are Part of Living in Knoxville, TN.

In contrast to other areas, Knoxville experiences winters that are mild and short-lived. Although it gets cold, it rarely gets below freezing, and the snowy season only lasts from December 19 to February 26.

The hot season in Knoxville only lasts from May to September, which many are grateful for due to the sometimes scorching southern heat. But although it gets hot and humid, the temperatures in the city are rarely higher than 94 degrees. This makes it much more bearable compared to other areas.

10. The Crime Rate in Knoxville Is High But On Par With Nashville.

The crime rate in Knoxville is 48 per 1,000 residents. This can be considered high, but it’s on par with other large cities in the state. Nashville’s crime rate, for example, is the same.

And when you compare that with Tennessee’s other largest city by population, Memphis (Nashville is first and Knoxville is third), Knoxville is considered much safer. Memphis has a crime index of 0, meaning it’s considered safer than 0 percent of other cities (versus Knoxville and Nashville’s crime index of 3), with a crime rate of 98 per 1,000 residents — more than twice the occurrence in Knoxville.

11. Knoxville Boasts a Steady Job Market Full of Opportunity.

Is Knoxville, TN, a good place to live if you’re just starting out in your career? Yes, if you’re a young professional, living in Knoxville, TN, may be a very good move to make. In fact, according to a WalletHub report on the best places in the U.S. to start out your career, Knoxville ranks No. 10 — and it ranks 6th place based on the number of professional opportunities metric alone.

Knoxville’s strong job market is one of the reasons it was named one of the best places to live in the U.S. in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report, too. They note that living in Knoxville, TN, means experiencing a job market that is healthier than other similarly sized cities.

Some of the major organizations that employ people in Knoxville include Knox County Schools, the University of Tennessee, and Covenant Health.

12. Living in Knoxville, TN, Means Tapping Into an Underrated Food Scene.

One of the best things to do in Knoxville is to check out the city’s food scene — especially the city’s southern cuisine. There are plenty of places that serve up barbecue, fried chicken, and other down-home favorites.

That’s not all you’ll find, though. There are also establishments that serve international cuisine, and it’s even easy to find a great place that uses only local ingredients.

Favorite local restaurants in Knoxville include:

13. Enjoying a Fun, Vibrant Nightlife Is Part of Living in Knoxville, TN.

The University of Tennessee's presence in Knoxville gives the area a youthful energy, and you can see this liveliness in the area's diverse nightlife scene.

The city of Knoxville has plenty of bars and breweries that are ripe for making your own bar crawl or night out of drinking with pals. If you're looking for something a bit different, though, try out one of the area's entertainment districts. The city’s historic Gay Street and Old City all have numerous options nearby.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love living in Knoxville, TN — not least of all because of the gorgeous Tennessee River, where you can kayak to your heart’s content.

14. Don’t Miss Out on the Abundance of Outdoor Activities in Knoxville.

There is an abundance of outdoor things to do in Knoxville, including Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness and the Tennessee River (kayaking, anyone?). This region — just minutes from downtown — has several miles of biking and hiking trails. It also houses Ijams Nature Center.

The beautiful Great Smoky Mountains are also located just around an hour outside Downtown Knoxville. Here, you’ll find over 800 miles of hiking trails and great waterfall views, and you’ll even be able to go camping or fishing.

15. There Are So Many Cool Things To Do in Downtown Knoxville.

The vibrant and charming food and arts scene of downtown Knoxville has only continued to grow in recent years. We recommend checking out Market Square, where you can enjoy live music and a variety of bars and restaurants. You can also visit the Market Square Farmers’ Market every Wednesday and Saturday from May to November.

Want to explore Knoxville’s art scene? You can check out the murals and graffiti along Strong Alley. You can also enjoy a $1 mimosa during brunch at Balter Beerworks — located between Old City and Market Square.

A PODS driver is about to climb into the cab of his signature red PODS truck, which is parked in a residential driveway.

Get to Knoxville With the Help of PODS

Getting to your new home in Knoxville can be done a lot easier when you use a portable moving container from PODS! With this container, you can easily load and pack it on your own schedule. You can also connect with local packing and loading services, if the heavy lifting really isn't your thing.

Once you're ready to move, your container will be picked up and taken to your new home. Need more time before you actually start the move? You can also keep it in a PODS Storage Center until you're ready for it.