Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
72.2%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 193,721 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 72.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $50,994 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,171 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $59,097 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 20.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 33.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $371,202 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 639 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2350 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.6% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 22.0% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.8% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 57.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 51.9 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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