Knoxville TN vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.2 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 72.2% | 69.7% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 31.5% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $435,670 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.1% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 71.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.7 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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