Knoxville TN vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 109,735 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 42.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 72.2% | 40.6% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 7.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $449,058 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 71.3°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 31.6 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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