Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 193,721 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 7.0% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 15.7% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.6% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 7.5% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $50,994 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $33,171 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 20.5% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 33.7% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $371,202 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 22.0% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.8% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 51.9 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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%.
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