Knoxville TN vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 186,419 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 72.2% | 60.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 7.8% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $468,328 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 41.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.3% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 71.3°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.2 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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