Knoxville TN vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
McKinney
33.4
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 148,848 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.4 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 72.2% | 37.8% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
McKinney
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $29,291 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.8% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 18.5% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $487,346 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.3% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 64.2°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 35.6 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, McKinney 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, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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