Knoxville TN vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 99,507 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.2 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 5.8% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 66.6% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 4.3% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 24.9% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Knoxville +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 22.3% | Knoxville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 19.7% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.7% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 68.5°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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