Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 193,721 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.0% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 22.4% | 15.7% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.6% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 7.5% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $50,994 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $33,171 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 20.5% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $371,202 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 46.6% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.0% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 22.0% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.8% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 51.9 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
Compare More Cities
Arlington, TX vs New York, NYArlington, TX vs Los Angeles, CAArlington, TX vs Chicago, ILArlington, TX vs Houston, TXArlington, TX vs Phoenix, AZArlington, TX vs Philadelphia, PA