Knoxville TN vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.8 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 72.2% | 16.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $48,416 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $25,509 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 10.9% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 24.7% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 17.4% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $482,675 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 24.1% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 23.4% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.2% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 35.9 min | Knoxville + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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