Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 7.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 36.1% | 15.7% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.6% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 7.5% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $50,994 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,097 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $371,202 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 639 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2350 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 22.0% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.8% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 57.8°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 51.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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