Knoxville TN vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 36.6 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 6.6% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 45.7% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 5.1% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.1% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 45.4% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.8% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.9% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Louis, 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
Knoxville +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis 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, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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