Knoxville TN vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.7 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 72.2% | 53.8% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $435,807 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 61.1°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.1 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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