Knoxville TN vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Savannah
33.7
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 147,546 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.7 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 6.7% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 37.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 7.1% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $32,004 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,405 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 32.0% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Savannah
$326,132
Savannah +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $326,132 | Savannah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 44.4% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.8% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 66.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.2 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while savannah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $326,132. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Knoxville, TN vs New York, NYKnoxville, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Knoxville, TNHouston, TX vs Knoxville, TNKnoxville, TN vs Phoenix, AZKnoxville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA