Knoxville TN vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 72.2% | 57.0% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 14.2% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.1% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 33.3% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 37.5% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 60.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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