Knoxville TN vs Las Vegas NV — 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 72.2% | 49.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 11.9% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 27.3% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $426,069 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2417 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.0% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 67.4°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.7 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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