Knoxville TN vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.1 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 72.2% | 58.0% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 12.1% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $435,532 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 42.4% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.1% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.3 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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