Knoxville TN vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 135,983 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $26,955 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 11.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 12.4% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $397,983 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Visalia
503
Visalia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Visalia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 63.3°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 41.6 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Visalia 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 Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
Compare More Cities
Knoxville, TN vs New York, NYKnoxville, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Knoxville, TNHouston, TX vs Knoxville, TNKnoxville, TN vs Phoenix, AZKnoxville, TN vs Philadelphia, PA