Knoxville TN vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 68,141 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 42.1 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 72.2% | 17.9% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 5.3% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Vallejo
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $523,551 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Vallejo
503
Vallejo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Vallejo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.3% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 36.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Vallejo is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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