Knoxville TN vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.4 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 72.2% | 50.8% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 4.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.3% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 20.3% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $447,353 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.2% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.5% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 63.7°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 30.5 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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