See your real net paycheck in Knoxville for 2026. Break down federal tax, Social Security, and Medicare, then view weekly, biweekly, and monthly take-home pay.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Knoxville median household income: $55,000 · Avg 1BR rent: $1,150/mo
Tennessee has no state income tax, so the only taxes withheld from a Knoxville paycheck are federal income tax and FICA. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages or salaries. The state previously taxed interest and dividend income (the Hall Tax), but this was fully repealed as of January 2021. Tennessee relies on its 7% sales tax for revenue.
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Take-Home | Effective Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $34,178 | $2,848 | 14.6% |
| $60,000 | $50,248 | $4,187 | 16.3% |
| $80,000 | $64,666 | $5,389 | 19.2% |
| $55,000 | $46,231 | $3,853 | 15.9% |
| $120,000 | $92,773 | $7,731 | 22.7% |
| $160,000 | $120,113 | $10,009 | 24.9% |
Single filer, standard deduction, no pre-tax deductions. Estimates only.
Knoxville sits in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and is home to the University of Tennessee, the headquarters of the Tennessee Valley Authority, advanced manufacturing and energy research tied to nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and a growing tourism and outdoor economy.
| Local Metric | Knoxville (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 200,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Knox County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 87 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $39.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,400/month |
| Median home price | $320,000 |
| Median household income | $55,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 9.25% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.7% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
On a $55,000 salary (single, standard deduction) in Knoxville, estimated take-home pay is roughly $46,231/year. With median household income near $55,000 and average 1-bedroom rent of $1,150/month, housing alone can take a large share of net pay.
Federal income tax and FICA (Social Security 6.2% up to $176,100, Medicare 1.45%) apply to every worker. There is no state or local income tax in Knoxville, so workers keep more of each paycheck.
Knoxville does not impose a city income tax. Your paycheck reflects only federal tax and FICA.
For the 2025 tax year filed in 2026, the federal standard deduction is $15,000 (single) and $30,000 (married filing jointly). This calculator applies it before computing federal income tax.
Contribute more to a pre-tax 401(k) or 403(b), use an HSA or FSA, and claim eligible deductions. These reduce federal income tax, though most do not reduce Social Security or Medicare.