Knoxville TN vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 154,751 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.7 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 72.2% | 40.8% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $51,339 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $27,054 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 8.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 25.3% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 19.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Springfield
21.1%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 39.6% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.8% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 21.1% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.7% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.5% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.6 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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