Knoxville TN vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 141,925 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 72.2% | 54.0% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $28,819 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 24.0% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 28.6% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.8% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 20.4% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 66.6°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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