Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.0% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 7.4% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.6% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 7.5% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $50,994 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $33,171 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 20.5% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 33.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 36.0% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 22.0% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 17.8% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 51.9 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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