Knoxville TN vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 114,080 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 72.2% | 51.9% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 6.8% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 18.3% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 39.4% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 25.4% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.1% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 65.6°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.7 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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