Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Houston
35.5%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 193,721 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 7.0% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 22.9% | 15.7% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 7.5% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $50,994 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $33,171 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 20.5% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 33.7% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $371,202 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Houston, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 22.0% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.8% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 51.9 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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