Knoxville TN vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Sparks
N/A
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 72.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 15.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $530,668 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2417 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.8% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.7% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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