Knoxville TN vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 149,424 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 40.1 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 72.2% | 64.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 7.4% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $618,452 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.8 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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