Concord 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Concord
54.7%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 7.0% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 22.1% | 15.7% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 1.6% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 7.5% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $50,994 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $33,171 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 20.5% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 33.7% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 46.6% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Concord +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Concord, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.0% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 22.0% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.8% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 17.8% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Concord +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Concord, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 51.9 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Concord 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 Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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