Knoxville TN vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 72.2% | 43.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $374,265 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 43.5% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.7% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 58.9°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.6 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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