Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 193,721 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 7.0% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 29.0% | 15.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.5% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $50,994 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $33,171 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 20.5% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 33.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $371,202 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 36.0% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 22.0% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.8% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 51.9 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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