Knoxville TN vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 71,542 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.9 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 4.2% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 15.7% | 6.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $31,499 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 22.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.4% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Charles, MO | 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
Knoxville +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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