Knoxville TN vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 100,731 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.0 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 72.2% | 57.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 6.0% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.5% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $30,475 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 16.8% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $439,767 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 40.0% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
New Bedford
22.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.3% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 22.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.0% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 21.4% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 51.9 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.2 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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