Knoxville TN vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.4 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 6.6% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 31.6% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.8% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 22.6% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Knoxville +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 643 | Knoxville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2824 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.1% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.7% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 66.6 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.6 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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