Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Knoxville, TN
🏆 Knoxville leads 13 of 22 categories
Elgin
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Knoxville
Tennessee
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,309
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
191,857 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Elgin, IL
Pros
Households earn $37,689 more per year on average
64% less violent crime than Knoxville
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 4.8%)
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Knoxville
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Knoxville, TN
Pros
Homes cost $58k less ($184,200 vs $242,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (4.8%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Rent averages $147/mo less ($1,043 vs $1,190)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 30°F
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $37,689/yr
Violent crime (740.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2721.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Elgin
Median Income
$37,689
$85,998 vs $48,309/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
64% lower
266.7 vs 740.3 per 100k
Knoxville
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Knoxville
Median Home Value
$58k less
$184,200 vs $242,500
Knoxville
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.0% unemployment
Knoxville
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 88.3°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $184,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $1,043 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $48,309 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 9.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Knox County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 47.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 88.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" ✓ Drier | 55.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 4.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 191,857 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 46.2% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Knoxville's 92.8 (US average = 100).
Knoxville is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Knoxville leads 13 of 22 categories. Elgin wins 9 and Knoxville wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Elgin to Knoxville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $184,200 median home), income ($85,998 vs $48,309), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Knoxville, TN are about 480 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.