Knoxville TN vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 107,699 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 4.7% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 49.6% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 5.2% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $48,536 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $31,324 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 23.8% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 45.1% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
Tuscaloosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 42.6% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 21.3% | Tuscaloosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 65.0°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 55.0 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tuscaloosa 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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