Knoxville TN vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Wilmington
1.6%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 71,124 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.0 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 72.2% | 32.4% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.6% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 23.2% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 33.1% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 46.0% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 41.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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