Knoxville TN vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 72.2% | 68.8% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 11.8% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 37.5% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.0% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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