Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Knoxville
72.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 193,721 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.0% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 72.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.6% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 7.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Knoxville
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $50,994 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $33,171 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.4% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 20.5% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 33.7% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Boise, ID | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 639 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2350 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | 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
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 57.8°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 51.9 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 22.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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