Knoxville TN vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 118,578 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 5.7% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 15.7% | 14.9% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.3% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 42.7% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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