Knoxville TN vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.7% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 4.2% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.9% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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