Knoxville TN vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 133,473 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 41.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 72.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 15.7% | 6.6% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 2.4% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 31.2% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.0% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.5 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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