Knoxville TN vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $29,679 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.9% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 23.3% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 26.6% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 41.5% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 41.8% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.1% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.1 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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