Knoxville TN vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.1 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 72.2% | 53.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.3% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $802,780 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Santa Clarita
503
Santa Clarita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Santa Clarita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.9% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 37.4 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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