Knoxville TN vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 190,214 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 72.2% | 40.7% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 13.3% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $429,449 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 41.2% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.6% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.4 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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