Knoxville TN vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 102,558 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 72.2% | 70.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $31,987 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 25.0% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 63.4°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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