Knoxville TN vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.6 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 72.2% | 70.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 5.8% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $538,687 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.7% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 78.3 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.5 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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