Knoxville TN vs West Covina 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 107,436 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 40.1 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 72.2% | 20.0% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 4.1% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 29.8% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $851,613 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
West Covina
503
West Covina +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | West Covina + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Covina, 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 36.1 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, West Covina 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 West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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