Knoxville TN vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 114,799 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 72.2% | 50.9% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 10.8% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 29.9% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $484,226 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 44.0% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 30.1 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
Knoxville, TN vs New York, NYKnoxville, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Knoxville, TNHouston, TX vs Knoxville, TNKnoxville, TN vs Phoenix, AZKnoxville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA