Knoxville TN vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 185,097 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.7 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 3.8% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 39.9% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 3.1% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $32,893 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.9% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 31.5% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 40.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 17.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 67.4°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 65.3 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.5 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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