Oak Ridge, TN vs Smyrna, TN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Oak Ridge is 17.7% cheaper than Smyrna. With a cost index of 84 vs 102, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Oak Ridge to Smyrna should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Oak Ridge is $1,076/month compared to $1,366/month in Smyrna — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oak Ridge is more affordable at $233,500 median vs $326,700.

Median household income in Oak Ridge is $71,000 compared to $78,409 in Smyrna (-9.4%). The higher salaries in Smyrna partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Oak Ridge spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 20.9% in Smyrna.