Knoxville, TN Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Knoxville, TN: What You Need to Know

Knoxville, located in eastern Tennessee, is home to the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee system.

Schools and Higher Education

The University of Tennessee (28,894 students) is the state’s oldest and largest public university. It traces its beginnings to Blount College’s founding in 1794, two years before Tennessee became a state. There are five other colleges in Knoxville and 12 universities within 50 miles of the city. Knoxville’s 79 public schools boast of an average math proficiency score of 37% versus the Tennessee average of 35%, and a reading proficiency score of 40%, higher than the 34% statewide average. 

The Local History

Prior to the city’s founding, the area served as the hunting grounds of the Cherokee tribe. Knoxville was established in 1792, and incorporated as a city in 1815. It was named after Gen. Henry Knox, George Washington's secretary of war. The city became famous as the headquarters of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. TVA was created in 1933 to provide cheap hydroelectric power. The agency created much-needed jobs amid the Great Depression, conserved water power, and generated and sold surplus electricity.

The Cost of Living in Knoxville

This college town is home to 187,603 people. Affordability is one of Knoxville’s many perks. Its cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 10.2%, 17.4%, and 20.6% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent in the city is $815. The icing on the cake? Tennessee has no income tax on salaries and wages, but it imposes a flat rate on income from interest and dividends. The Volunteer State charges 7% to 9.75% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Downtown neighborhoods are ideal for people who want to be close to the action, including year-round events and the bustling shops and restaurants at Market Square. The stunning river views at Volunteer Landing are an added bonus. Suburbanites will love Farragut for its superb schools and rustic charm. Young professionals and families are attracted to Louisville for its safety, friendliness, and affordability. 

Tourist Attractions

More than nine million people visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year. Knoxville is the perfect base for a day trip to the park, only 32 miles away. The park features more than 800 miles of trails, 700 miles of mountain streams, and 80 historic structures. Knoxville is known as the Red Panda Capital of the World for its successful breeding of red pandas. Visit Zoo Knoxville to see the endangered species, which is not related to giant pandas.