Knoxville TN vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 36.4 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 72.2% | 46.4% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,714 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Knoxville +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 660 | Knoxville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2507 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 40.5% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 62.7°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 50.0 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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