Before Moving To Knoxville Explore The Perks And Pitfalls Of This Fantastic Community
Are you thinking about moving to Knoxville? If yes, I will walk you through my 17 candid pros and cons of living in Knoxville, TN.
Let’s get started.
Living In Knoxville, Tennessee: Pros And Cons Comparison Table
My top 17 pros and cons of Knoxville TN living include:
| Living in Knoxville Pros | Living in Knoxville Cons |
| 1. Low cost of living | 10. Limited public transit |
| 2. No state income taxes | 11. Football game days |
| 3. Beautiful natural scenery | 12. Poor walkability |
| 4. Outdoor activities | 13. Limited shopping |
| 5. Vibrant arts and culture | 14. High crime rates |
| 6. Top-notch foodie scene | 15. High sales tax rate |
| 7. Hot spots for nightlife | 16. Hot summers |
| 8. Good schools | 17. Seasonal allergies |
| 9. Diverse job opportunities |
Before you pack your bags for Knoxville, you need the honest truth. So, here’s my unfiltered guide to the benefits and drawbacks of calling Knoxville home.
Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Pros Of Living In Knoxville
Let’s kick this off with Knoxville’s pros.
1. Affordable Cost Of Living In Knoxville: Stretch Your Dollars Farther
Knoxville isn’t one of the least expensive places to live in Tennessee. On the other hand, the city compares favorably against the national averages for its low cost of living.
According to payscale.com, the average cost of living in Knoxville is about 15% less than comparable living costs across the United States.
The biggest savings come from lower housing prices. However, rent can run higher than average because of the demand from college students.
Pro tip: Save on all of your online purchases with the cashback app from Rakuten.
2. No State Income Taxes (The One Thing In Life You Can Be Certain About In Knoxville)
My next positive about Knoxville living relates to your taxes.
Making a move anywhere in the state of Tennessee, including Knoxville, means you do not have to pay state income taxes. Real estate tax rates are also some of the lowest in the country.
Okay. Enough about the cost of living, taxes, and ways to save money. Let’s move on to other impressive benefits of living in Knoxville, Tennessee.
3. Beautiful Natural Scenery That Takes Your Breath Away
Knoxville and the surrounding region are full of scenic beauty.
First, the city is a short drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Or, you can choose from dozens of state and local parks to soak in the views.
Furthermore, this city sits near the banks of the French Broad River where it joins the Holston River. As a result, greater Knoxville has several stunning lakes nearby.
4. Knoxville’s Abundant Outdoor Activities Will Suit Your Lifestyle
Knoxville’s convenient access to the mountains and proximity to rivers and lakes means residents have access to lots of outdoor activities including:
- Camping
- Hiking
- Boating
- Water skiing
- Fishing
- Golfing
Amazing outdoor points of interest include:
- Big Ridge State Park
- Cherokee Lake
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
- Douglas Lake
- Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
- Knoxville Zoo
- Norris Dam State Park
- Seven Islands State Birding Park
Yes. Access to the outdoors is wonderful here.
Knoxville’s scenic beauty and outdoor recreation make the city one of the great places to live in the south
5. Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene Appealing To Locals And Tourists
Knoxville has many other fun things to do, adding to the advantages of living here.
Knoxville’s cultural options include:
- Symphony Orchestra
- Opera
- Museum of Art
- Historic Tennessee Theatre
Living in Knoxville is great for festival lovers. Examples include:
- Dogwood Arts Festival
- Greek Fest
- HoLa Festival
- KARM Dragon Boat Festival
- Knox Asian Festival
- Knoxville Film Festival
- Knoxville Brewer’s Jam
- Kuumba Festival
- International Biscuit Festival
- Rossini Festival
Knoxville’s convenient location is perfect for getting out of town if the local arts, culture, and entertainment options are insufficient.
Near Knoxville:
- Dollywood Theme Park
- Pigeon Forge
- Gatlinburg
Part-day driving destinations from Knoxville:
- Charleston in South Carolina
- Savannah, located in Georgia
- Beaches on the Atlantic Ocean
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Jacksonville in Florida
6. Excellent Foodie Scene With Local Favorites And Hidden Gems
Knoxville has an excellent foodie scene. Choices include traditional southern dishes, ethnic restaurants, food trucks, first-class chefs, and more.
Be sure to explore the smaller districts around town including Market Square, Old City, and South Knoxville to find those hidden gems.
More reading: Another great city in East Tennessee
7. Hot Spots For Knoxville Nightlife Reflecting The City’s Bar Scene
Knoxville is a college town home to the University of Tennessee. Roughly 30,000 students descend on the campus each year.
College towns like Knoxville attract more places to gather creating an excellent nightlife scene. Thus, the most popular neighborhoods have dozens of bars, clubs, live music venues, restaurants, and breweries.
Knoxville may be your perfect place if you want to live in a Tennessee city with a major state university. Limited nightlife is not an issue here.
Next up, more Knoxville, TN pros. Then, I will address the cons.
8. Knoxville Schools Preparing Your Kids For What’s Next
Knoxville is a great place for students focused on personal and professional development. The city has many well-regarded schools compared to other cities in Tennessee.
The Knox County School System operates all public schools in the Greater Knoxville area. However, the best schools are mainly located north and west of downtown.
For example, GreatSchools.org ranks the Farragut School system highly for grades K-12. Hardin Valley Middle School, West Valley Middle School, and L N Stem Academy are highly ranked too.
Outstanding private school options include:
- Webb School of Knoxville
- Christian Academy of Knoxville
- Knoxville Catholic High School
Knoxville has some excellent higher education options, including…
- The University of Tennessee
- South College
- Johnson University
- Knoxville College
More reading: Quality schools are easy to find in this area of North Carolina.
9. Diverse Job Opportunities In Thriving Industries
Knoxville is a big part of Tennessee’s economic success.
The state is growing economically. Job opportunities are one of the best reasons people are migrating to Tennessee.
First, new business filings have recently reached record highs in Knox County. And growth in business filings typically leads to more jobs.
Second, the Knox County unemployment rate is near 3%. Thus, job opportunities are plentiful in and around the region.
Okay. That completes my review of the best things about living in Knoxville. Let’s switch gears.
Cons Of Living In Knoxville
An article about the pros and cons of living in Knoxville would not be complete without addressing some of the worst things about Knoxville living.
Let’s do that next. As my top living in Knoxville TN, pros and cons continue.
10. Limited Public Transportation Will Require You To Rely On A Car
Driving around Knoxville is fairly stress-free. However, the city doesn’t have great public transit options.
Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is the city’s public transportation system. KAT operates bus routes, trolleys, and paratransit services. KAT also operates the transit system for the University of Tennessee.
Buses run infrequently, and stops are limited. Knoxville is also widespread and suffers from urban sprawl.
Thus, Knoxville’s public transportation system is inconvenient for your everyday use. Fortunately, unlike the Tennessee city of Nashville, you will have little trouble getting around by car.
Commute times are well below the national average. For example, you can drive across the greater Knoxville area in about 30 minutes.
11. University of Tennessee Football: Game Days Are Crazy
Knoxville residents are obsessed with the University of Tennessee sports programs, especially football. Yes. Residents love their college football here!
Locals die for The University of Tennessee’s college football team (the Volunteers, also called “The Vols.”) Your new friends and neighbors may annoy you with their passion for the team.
80,000 to 100,000 fans descend on Neyland Stadium and the area on game days. Traffic is bad. Bars and restaurants are packed.
Fortunately, there are only 7 to 8 home games per year. So, you should be able to manage the disruption.
Next, I have another con about your potential Knoxville lifestyle.
12. Poor Scores For Walkability Due To Lack Of Sidewalks And Bike Lanes
Outside of Knoxville’s central districts, the city is not highly walkable. Bike lanes are also scarce.
Knoxville’s downtown core, university district, Gay Street, and Old City are pedestrian-friendly. These compact zones make exploring the city’s urban hubs possible on foot.
Thus, certain places in the city lend themselves to walking or biking. At the same time, a car is required to connect between different parts of the Greater Knoxville area.
More reading: a true Southern gem of a city near Knoxville
13. From Basics To Boutiques: Limited Shopping Options
Knoxville offers a variety of shopping options for residents. However, high-end brands are less prevalent than in major metropolitan areas.
Located in West Knoxville, West Town Mall features standard chains and department stores. Big box stores are scattered throughout the region. Boutiques, galleries, and specialty stores round out the shopping experience.
Finally, the Knoxville Farmers’ Market on Market Square is a must-stop for foodies.
14. High Crime Rates: Choose Your Location Wisely
Knoxville’s violent crime rate and property crime rate exceed U.S. national averages.
Some parts of Tennessee, including Knoxville, have very high crime rates. In this regard, I immediately recalled the pros and cons of living in Memphis because Knoxville’s crime rates are also poor.
Thus, choose your exact location in Knoxville wisely. There are plenty of family-friendly safe places to live.
The best Knoxville neighborhoods according to UpNest.com include:
- Farragut
- Oak Ridge
- Maryville
- Alcoa
- Sequoyah Hills
- Seymour
- Norris
Next, I have another one of the worst things about living in Knoxville.
15. Knoxville’s Higher Sales Tax Rate Means You Have To Pay To Play
Knoxville has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country.
The sales tax rate is more than 9%. This rate represents state, county, and city sales taxes combined.
More reading: 5 best cities to live in eastern Tennessee
16. A Mild Climate, BUT Summers Are Hot And Humid
Knoxville summers are very hot and humid. If you don’t like the heat, you will be indoors often during the summer, soaking up your air conditioning.
You can beat the heat in other ways. It’s a good idea to get away to parts of northeastern Tennessee. The elevations are higher, and temperatures are lower.
The weather in Knoxville is nice, beyond the peak summer season. Knoxville is a good place to retire for it’s mild climate. The city is perfect if you want to escape harsh northern winters.
17. Life In Knoxville Is Heck On Seasonal Allergy Sufferers
Knoxville is one of the worst cities in the country for seasonal allergies.
The spring and summer seasons bring a lot of pollen. The pollen coats anything left outside in a yellow sticky film.
So, keep in mind your allergy symptoms before moving to Knoxville.
More reading: Charlotte, NC is another southern city to consider.
Living In Knoxville, TN: FAQs
Next, I would like to address frequently asked questions about Knoxville living. Then, I will wrap up.
Is Knoxville A Good Place To Live?
Knoxville is a good place to live because of its high quality of life. Nature lovers enjoy the nearby Smoky Mountains. The University of Tennessee provides a vibrant college-town atmosphere. Young professionals find opportunities. The affordable housing market attracts families. Retirees appreciate the mild climate, outdoor recreation, and low cost of living.
What Are The People Living In Knoxville Like?
Knoxville residents are friendly and have a welcoming southern charm. The city is in the heart of the Bible Belt, meaning socially conservative Protestant Christianity plays a strong role in society. Most residents lean Republican. Roughly 75% of the population is white.
Pros and Cons Of Living In Knoxville, TN: Wrap-Up
Okay. That’s all for today. Please let me wrap up my thoughts about the pros and cons of living in Knoxville.
Reasons To Live In Knoxville
- Affordable cost of living
- No state income taxes
- Beautiful natural scenery
- Unbeatable outdoor activities
- Vibrant arts and culture scene
- Top-notch foodie scene
- Hot spots for nightlife
- Great public schools
- Diverse job opportunities
Reasons Not To Live In Knoxville
- Limited public transportation
- Crazy college football game days
- Poor scores for walkability
- Limited shopping options
- High crime rates
- High sales tax rate
- Hot and humid summers
- Troublesome seasonal allergies
More Reading About Living In Knoxville TN And Beyond
If neither Knoxville nor Tennessee living fits your needs, below are some excellent articles and resources you can explore.
- Investigating all of the best places for living
- Discover the benefits of Kentucky living
- Why move to North Carolina?
- Exploring Alabama living
Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.