Knoxville TN vs West Palm Beach FL — 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 Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 119,508 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 40.2 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 72.2% | 44.0% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $399,650 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.7% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 75.4°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 62.3 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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