Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 51.3% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 38.0% | 15.7% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.6% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $50,994 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $371,202 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 46.6% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Dayton +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 22.0% | Dayton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.8% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 17.8% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 57.8°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 51.9 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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%.
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