Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Knoxville
72.2%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 77.1% | 72.2% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 1.6% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Evansville +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $50,994 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 20.5% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $371,202 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 46.6% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 639 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2350 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Evansville +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Knoxville
15.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 22.0% | Evansville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 17.8% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Evansville +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 51.9 in | Evansville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 22.0 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Evansville leads in median household income at $52,251, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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