Knoxville TN vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 72.2% | 41.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $46,628 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $30,451 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.9% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 26.6% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 29.9% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 37.2% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 38.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.3% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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