Knoxville TN vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 72.2% | 50.7% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 23.2% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 39.5% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.3% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.2% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 67.6°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 58.1 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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