Knoxville TN vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 146,211 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 72.2% | 51.9% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $45,845 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $27,570 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 29.6% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 30.5% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 41.3% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Syracuse
20.8%
Syracuse +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 41.5% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.8% | Syracuse + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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