Knoxville TN vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.7 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.8% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 12.4% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $480,548 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Sacramento
503
Sacramento +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Sacramento + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 61.0°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Sacramento is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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