Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 193,721 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.3 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 7.0% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 38.7% | 15.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $50,994 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $33,171 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 33.7% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $371,202 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 22.0% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.8% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 57.8°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 51.9 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA