Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 193,721 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.0% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 34.1% | 15.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.6% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 7.5% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $50,994 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $33,171 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 20.5% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 33.7% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 46.6% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.0% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 22.0% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.8% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.8% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 51.9 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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