Nomads Data

Knoxville, United States

North America · Tropical

Rank: 190 | Index: 81.0

Knoxville, nestled in the heart of Tennessee, is an attractive destination for digital nomads seeking a balance between affordability, quality of life, and natural beauty. With its mild climate, scenic surroundings, and growing expat community, Knoxville is an excellent choice for remote workers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life without sacrificing modern amenities.

Budget FriendlyFast InternetAdventure BaseNature EscapeDN HubWellness & HealthHistoric City
Monthly Cost
$1090
Single · No rent
Internet
432.9Mbps
Fixed broadband
Safety
58
Quality of Life
89

At a Glance — Knoxville

Nomad Index
Rank: 190 | Index: 81.0
Climate
Tropical · 16°C avg · 134 rainy days/yr
Health
69.22 / 100
Pollution
48.84 / 100
Traffic
128.48 / 100
Rent (1BR)
Centre $1788.75 · Outside $1267.5
Power Grid
100% electricity access
Coworking
0 spaces
DN Visa
Not available
Data from Numbeo, Ookla, Open-Meteo, World Bank & more

City Personality

Knoxville offers a relaxed, small-town atmosphere with a growing community of remote workers and entrepreneurs.

Best For

  • digital nomads seeking affordability
  • remote workers who value quality of life
  • entrepreneurs looking for a supportive community

Less Suitable For

  • those seeking a fast-paced urban lifestyle
  • digital nomads who require a large coworking space ecosystem
Lifestyle: Outdoor activities, cultural events, and a thriving food scene
Pace: Relaxed

Knoxville Climate & Weather

Knoxville experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best months to visit are April to November, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall. Summer temperatures often reach the mid-80s to low 90s Fahrenheit, while winters can dip to around 20°F (-7°C).

Comfortable temperatures from April to NovemberLow rainfall during peak seasonMild winters and hot summers

Knoxville has a Tropical climate.Hot summers and mild winters with year-round rainfall.

Climate Type
Tropical
15.7°C avg · 134 rainy days/yr
Dry Days / Year
268
No rain (≥3 mm)
Daylight Range
9.6h – 14.4h
Varies by 4.8h across the year

Average Daily Temperature

Max TempMin Temp
☀️ Peak Season
Apr – Nov
Comfortable temperatures · Low rainfall
⛅ Shoulder Season
Mar
Warm or mild · Moderate rainfall
❄️ Off Season
Dec – Feb
Hot or cold · Heavy rainfall

Daylight Hours

DaylightNight
Open-Meteo Archive API

Is Knoxville Safe?

Knoxville has a moderate crime rate, with a safety index of 57.94. While petty crimes like theft and vandalism are common, violent crimes are relatively rare. Remote workers should take normal precautions to ensure their safety, especially at night.

Moderate crime ratePetty crimes are commonViolent crimes are relatively rare
Safety Index
58/ 100
Crime index: 42.06
Daylight Safety
81.17/100
Very Safe
Night Safety
54.64/100
Fair

What Residents Worry About

Home break-in
38.59
Mugged or robbed
37.02
Car stolen
34.42
Things stolen from car
43.92
Physically attacked
36.27
Harassment / insults
40.22
Discrimination
30.85

Crime Severity

Drugs
56.38
Property crimes
46.98
Violent crimes
40.67
Corruption
37.22

Safety Tips for Knoxville

  • Choose accommodation with secure building access, and consider portable door alarms.
  • Avoid leaving belongings unattended in public spaces and use lockers for laptops and cameras.
  • Research which districts have higher crime rates and plan your route accordingly, especially at night.
  • Connect with local digital nomad groups to learn about cultural norms and inclusive spaces.
Numbeo — Crime and safety data
Travel advisories — Government travel advisory data

Cost of Living in Knoxville

Knoxville has a relatively low cost of living, with a monthly budget of $1,090 excluding rent. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,788.75 in the city center and $1,267.5 outside of it. Food prices are also reasonable, with a mid-range meal costing around $75 for two people.

Low cost of livingAffordable housingReasonable food prices
Total Monthly Cost
$2,879
Restaurants
$2739%
Groceries
$45116%
Transport
$1144%
Utilities
$1596%
Clothing
$321%
Leisure
$602%
Rent
$1,78962%
Living $1,090+Rent $1,789=$2,879
International flights and trip insurance not included.
Numbeo — Cost of Living data
Open calculator for detailed breakdown
Adjust household size, lifestyle, and rent preferences

Cost Comparison: Cities in United States

KnoxvilleSelected
$1,090
/mo
HuntsvilleCheapest
$-214
$876
/mo
Gainesville
$-132
$958
/mo
Orlando
$-86
$1,004
/mo
Arlington
+$6
$1,096
/mo
IrvinePriciest
+$199
$1,289
/mo

Knoxville vs Arlington

Knoxville
Knoxville
$1,090
/mo
vs
+$6
pricier
Arlington
Arlington
$1,096
/mo
Full Comparison

Knoxville vs Orlando

Knoxville
Knoxville
$1,090
/mo
vs
-$86
cheaper
Orlando
Orlando
$1,004
/mo
Full Comparison

Internet Speed in Knoxville

Knoxville has fast and reliable internet, with an average fixed download speed of 432.9 Mbps and an average mobile download speed of 413.6 Mbps. This makes it suitable for remote work, video calls, and cloud development.

Fast fixed and mobile internetReliable connectivitySuitable for remote work

Fixed Broadband

Fiber, cable, or DSL in your apartment

Download
433 Mbps
Upload
281 Mbps
Latency
13 ms
Excellent

Mobile Data

4G/5G cellular network

Download
414 Mbps
Upload
33 Mbps
Latency
28 ms
Good

Remote Work Readiness

Video Calls
HD calls supported
Screen Sharing
Smooth sharing
Cloud Development
Low latency
Ookla Speedtest Intelligence — Q1 2026

Visa Options for Knoxville, United States

United States does not currently offer a specific Digital Nomad Visa, but several tourist visa options are available.

Knoxville, being part of the United States, offers various visa options for digital nomads. However, there is no specific digital nomad visa available. Remote workers can explore visa-free options or consult with immigration experts to determine the best course of action.

No specific digital nomad visaVisa-free options availableConsult with immigration experts
Visa types available
  • Visa-free (90 days)
Passport Checker — United States

See what visa you need for Knoxville based on your passport

Pick your passport above to see the visa requirement instantly
Digital Nomad Visa Database — visa policy information

Healthcare Quality in Knoxville

Knoxville has a good healthcare system, with a healthcare index of 69.22. The city offers excellent medical facilities, skilled staff, and modern equipment. However, remote workers may want to consider additional insurance coverage for peace of mind.

Good healthcare indexExcellent medical facilitiesSkilled staff and modern equipment
Healthcare Index
69.22/ 100

Quality Scores

Skill & Competency
75
Speed of Exams
73.86
Modern Equipment
88.64
Accuracy of Reports
76.25

Satisfaction Scores

Staff Friendliness
76.19
Responsiveness / Wait Times
55.68
Cost Satisfaction
48.91
Convenient Location
79.55
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Health insurance with international coverage is recommended as out-of-pocket costs can be high.
Numbeo — Healthcare quality data

Power Grid in United States

Knoxville has a reliable electricity grid, with a grid access of 100% and a grid consumption of 12,835.2954 kWh per capita. The city also has a growing renewable energy sector, with 10.9% of its energy coming from renewable sources.

Reliable grid accessGrowing renewable energy sectorLow grid consumption
Electricity access
100%
of population in 2023
Consumption
12.6k
kWh per person
Reliability
Reliable
grid stability

Energy Mix

· 59% fossil fuels
17%
42%
18%
6%
Coal17%
Natural Gas42%
Nuclear18%
Hydro6%
Oil1%
World Bank — Power grid statistics

Traffic & Commute in Knoxville

Knoxville experiences moderate traffic conditions, with a traffic index of 128.48. The average commute time is around 26.76 minutes, with most residents relying on cars for transportation.

Moderate traffic indexAverage commute time of 26.76 minutesCar-dependent transportation
Traffic Index
128.48
Avg commute: 26.76 min / 25.12 km

Overview

Avg Commute
26.76 min
Avg Distance
25.12 km
96.2%
Top Mode
Car
CO₂ Index
7,097

Traffic Indexes

Time Index
26.8
Time Exp. Index
31.4
Inefficiency Index
141.1
CO₂ Emission Index
7096.9

Commute Mode Split

Work from Home
3.9%
Car
96.2%
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Traffic congestion is significant — consider accommodation close to co-working spaces or use public transit.
  • Car dependency is high — factor in parking costs and traffic when choosing where to live.
  • CO₂ emissions from transport are high — you may prefer walkable neighborhoods to reduce exposure.
  • Commute times are relatively predictable — you can plan your schedule with confidence.
Numbeo — Traffic data

Real Estate Market in Knoxville

Knoxville offers affordable housing options, with an average rent of $1,788.75 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. The price-to-income ratio is 4.9, indicating that housing costs are relatively affordable compared to income levels.

Affordable housing optionsLow price-to-income ratioRange of apartments and homes available
Price-to-Income Ratio
4.9years
Loan affordability: 2.4

Overview

1BR City Centre
$1789
1BR Outside
$1268
Avg Salary/Mo
$3552
Mortgage Rate
6.1%

Buy vs Rent

Price-to-Income
4.9 yrs
Mortgage % Income
42.4%
Loan Affordability
2.4
Price-to-Rent Centre
12.7
Price-to-Rent Outside
8.3

Rental Yields & Returns

Gross Yield Centre
7.9%
Gross Yield Outside
12.1%

Apartment Prices

City Centre

1-Bedroom$1789
3-Bedroom$2916
Price per sqm$4744

Outside Centre

1-Bedroom$1268
3-Bedroom$2153
Price per sqm$2223
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Property is relatively affordable — consider long-term rental or even buying if you plan to stay.
  • Rental yields in the city centre are strong (7.9%) — potential for passive income.
  • With a local salary of 3552/month and manageable prices, this city is viable for longer stays.
Numbeo — Property data

Frequently Asked Questions About Knoxville

What is the cost of living in Knoxville?
The cost of living in Knoxville is relatively low, with a monthly budget of $1,090 excluding rent. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,788.75 in the city center and $1,267.5 outside of it.
Is Knoxville a safe city?
Knoxville has a moderate crime rate, with a safety index of 57.94. While petty crimes like theft and vandalism are common, violent crimes are relatively rare.
What are the best months to visit Knoxville?
The best months to visit Knoxville are April to November, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall.
What is the internet like in Knoxville?
Knoxville has fast and reliable internet, with an average fixed download speed of 432.9 Mbps and an average mobile download speed of 413.6 Mbps.
Do I need a digital nomad visa to work in Knoxville?
No, there is no specific digital nomad visa available for Knoxville. Remote workers can explore visa-free options or consult with immigration experts to determine the best course of action.
What kind of housing can I find in Knoxville?
Knoxville offers a range of affordable housing options, including apartments and homes. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,788.75 in the city center and $1,267.5 outside of it.
Is Knoxville a good base for exploring the region?
Yes, Knoxville's proximity to other cities makes it an excellent base for exploring the region, with nearby destinations like Greenville, Atlanta, Nashville, and Huntsville.
What kind of healthcare services are available in Knoxville?
Knoxville has a good healthcare system, with a healthcare index of 69.22. The city offers excellent medical facilities, skilled staff, and modern equipment.
Can I find coworking spaces in Knoxville?
Knoxville has a limited coworking space ecosystem, with no reported coworking spaces. Remote workers may need to rely on cafes, business centers, or home offices for their work needs.
What is the traffic like in Knoxville?
Knoxville experiences moderate traffic conditions, with a traffic index of 128.48. The average commute time is around 26.76 minutes, with most residents relying on cars for transportation.

Key Takeaways

Quick insights for each category

Mild Climate with Distinct Seasons

Knoxville's climate is suitable for digital nomads who prefer milder temperatures and distinct seasons.

Generally Safe with Some Crime Concerns

Knoxville is generally safe, but remote workers should be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions.

Affordable Living with Low Housing Costs

Knoxville offers an affordable lifestyle for digital nomads, with low housing costs and reasonable living expenses.

Fast and Reliable Internet

Knoxville's internet infrastructure supports most remote work requirements, with fast and reliable speeds.

Visa Options for Digital Nomads

Digital nomads should research visa options and consult with experts to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

Limited Coworking Options

Digital nomads may need to adapt to a limited coworking space ecosystem in Knoxville.

Good Healthcare Services

Knoxville's healthcare services are suitable for digital nomads, but additional insurance may be necessary.

Reliable Electricity Grid

Knoxville's electricity grid is reliable, with a strong focus on renewable energy.

Moderate Traffic Conditions

Knoxville's traffic conditions are moderate, with some congestion during peak hours.

Moderate Air Quality

Knoxville's air quality is moderate, with some seasonal variations.

Affordable Housing Options

Knoxville's housing market offers affordable options for remote workers, with a range of apartments and homes available.

Nearby Destinations

Knoxville's proximity to other cities makes it an excellent base for exploring the region.