Knoxville TN vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 72.2% | 70.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 2.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $580,126 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.0% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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