Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
72.2%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 193,721 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 72.3% | 72.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 7.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $50,994 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $33,171 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,097 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 20.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 33.7% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 46.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 639 | Colorado Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2350 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 36.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 22.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 17.8% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 57.8°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 51.9 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Colorado Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
Colorado Springs, CO vs New York, NYColorado Springs, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Colorado Springs, COColorado Springs, CO vs Houston, TXColorado Springs, CO vs Phoenix, AZColorado Springs, CO vs Philadelphia, PA