Knoxville TN vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Miami
1.6%
Miami +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 39.7 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 72.2% | 34.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 13.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.6% | Miami + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Miami
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $580,996 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 30.7% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 27.2% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 75.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 64.1 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 29.9 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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