Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 7.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 28.8% | 15.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 7.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $50,994 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $33,171 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,097 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 20.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 33.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 46.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 639 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2350 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 36.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 22.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 51.9 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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