Knoxville TN vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 114,303 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 72.2% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 15.7% | 1.1% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $26,755 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 22.3% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $486,127 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 39.9% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Provo
21.5%
Provo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 21.5% | Provo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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