Knoxville TN vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 161,993 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 72.2% | 21.8% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 1.4% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $28,813 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 15.5% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $751,711 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 22.4% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.8 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Salinas 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 Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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