Knoxville TN vs Las Cruces NM — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 112,612 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 72.2% | 54.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 2.6% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $30,804 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,141 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 22.0% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 834 | Knoxville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3177 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.7% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 58.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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