Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Denver
62.9%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 193,721 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 7.0% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 8.8% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 7.5% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $50,994 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $33,171 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,097 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 20.5% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 33.7% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 46.6% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Denver +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 639 | Denver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2350 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 36.0% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.6% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 22.0% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 17.8% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 51.9 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Denver 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 Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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