Knoxville TN vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Medford
N/A
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Medford
N/A
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 72.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Medford
$63,691
Medford +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Medford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Medford
$410,269
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $410,269 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Medford
355
Medford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Medford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Medford
33.0%
Medford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Medford
11.9%
Medford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Medford
19.1%
Medford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Medford
10.4%
Medford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Medford
13.6%
Medford +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 33.0% | Medford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.9% | Medford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.1% | Medford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.4% | Medford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.6% | Medford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Medford
55.6°F
Medford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Medford
18.4 in
Medford +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 55.6°F | Medford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 18.4 in | Medford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Medford is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Medford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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