Knoxville TN vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 183,483 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 2.6% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.5% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 3.9% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $48,465 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 8.9% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 23.6% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 27.5% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Knoxville +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 643 | Knoxville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2824 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Shreveport
20.1%
Shreveport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 43.1% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 17.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.1% | Shreveport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 19.1% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 52.7 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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