Knoxville TN vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 102,866 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.9 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 72.2% | 54.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $29,511 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,697 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 22.6% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 29.4% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 39.7% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.2% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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, 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