Carrollton 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)

Carrollton, TX

Texas · Population: 132,741

  • Median HH Income$99,115
  • Median Home Price$408,531
  • Unemployment3.2%
  • Bachelor's+43.3%

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
Carrollton
132,741
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Knoxville
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
33.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
46.6%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Carrollton +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Carrollton +
Knoxville
2350

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Knoxville
17.8%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Knoxville
51.9 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +

Which City is Right for You?

Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Carrollton & Knoxville