Knoxville TN vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 94,723 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 36.9 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 72.2% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 15.7% | 0.8% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $672,082 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.6 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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