Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Athens
57.6%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.0% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 26.2% | 15.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.6% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 7.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $50,994 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 33.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $371,202 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Athens, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 51.9 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens 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).
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