865-315-8195
West Coast to East TN
Compare home prices in California to home prices in Knoxville, Compare statistical data on weather, prices, taxes, and more, and find great Knoxville-local groups to help connect you with real people who've already made the move.
See What Your CA
Budget Buys in Knoxville
A picture's worth a thousand words, so let's look at listings sold in popular CA cities compared to the Knoxville area. See the difference in how far your dollar can go.
San Francisco
★ Knoxville
$800,000
Sold June 10, 2026
$912/sqft
Condo
1 bed, 2 bath
877 sqft
Built in 2002
$800,000
Sold May 28, 2026
$256/sqft
5 bed, 3.5 bath
3,126 sqft
0.54 acre lot
Built in 1994
3 car garage
Why Knoxville?
For those who've decided they love Tennessee but can't decide between middle and east Tennessee, let's compare California, Nashville, and Knoxville's housing market, lifestyle, outdoor recreation, cost of living, and everyday life so you can decide for yourself where you want to call home.
Property tax
Taxes
Taxes
Income tax
1% of assessed value
~ .007% assessed value
(Davidson County)
~ .004% assessed value
(Knox County)
California
Nashville
Knoxville
Highest in the country
0%
0%
$900k+
$500k
$400k
Median House Price
Average Daily Commute
32 mins
29 minutes
22 minutes
Landscape
Ocean, mountains, and dry desert
Hills, rivers, and growing city vibe
Lush hills, rivers, lakes, and mountains
Population
~ 9,695,000
in LA County
Tennessee's entire population is 2.3 million people less than LA County alone.
~721,000
~202,000
Car & Auto
$5.81
$3.00
$2.81
*As of June 2026
Average Gas Prices
$300-450
$84
$77
Average Annual Car registration
Weather
Mediterranean
48-103°
~79% humidity
~16 in. annual rain
0 in. annual snow
Natural Hazards: Wildfires, Drought, Earthquakes, & Mudslides
46 tornadoes since 1950 0 were F4+
9 deaths
The Smoky Mountain geography surrounding Knoxville naturally deflects tornadoes and severe weather. We get all four seasons, but without the harsh extremes, so you can actually enjoy them.
Humid subtropical
30-90°
~83% humidity
~54 in. annual rain
~4 in. annual snow
Natural Hazards: Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding
426 tornadoes since 1950
23 were F4+
~72 deaths
Humid subtropical
29-89 °
~86% humidity
~52 in. annual rain
~4 in. annual snow
Natural Hazards:
Severe Storms & Flooding
176 tornadoes since 1950
1 was F4+
2 deaths
Average Lot Size
8,300 sq ft
10,000 sq ft
24,400 sq ft
Meet People Who Came Before You
Moving is easier when you have a community waiting for you. Join one of our local Facebook groups to connect with fellow Californians who have already made East Tennessee their home.
