Knoxville TN vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.6 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 72.2% | 48.3% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $32,983 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.8% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 28.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 24.5% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.0% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 68.5°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.5 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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