Albany GA vs Knoxville TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Albany
18.9%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 18.9% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 76.3% | 15.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.6% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $50,994 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $371,202 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Albany, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Albany +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 22.0% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 17.8% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Albany +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Albany, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 51.9 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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