Knoxville TN vs New Rochelle NY — 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
4.6%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
66.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
New Rochelle
2.3%
New Rochelle +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
New Rochelle
8.0%
New Rochelle +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 48,198 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 40.7 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 4.6% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 66.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 17.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 8.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
$48,535
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
$30,033
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
23.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
22.8%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $48,535 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $30,033 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 9.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 23.7% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 22.8% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $920,484 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 57.5% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
New Rochelle
434
New Rochelle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | New Rochelle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 13.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 9.3% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Rochelle, NY | 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
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, New Rochelle is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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