Knoxville TN vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 3.2% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $570,934 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2417 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.9% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.3 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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