Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Knoxville, TN
🏆 Gilbert leads 17 of 22 categories
Gilbert
Arizona
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
267,267 ✓ Larger
Knoxville
Tennessee
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,309
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
191,857
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
Households earn $66,870 more per year on average
82% less violent crime than Knoxville
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (3.5%)
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 48°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Knoxville
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Knoxville, TN
Pros
Homes cost $270k less ($184,200 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $796/mo less ($1,043 vs $1,839)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 104°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $66,870/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
Higher unemployment (4.8% vs 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Median Income
$66,870
$115,179 vs $48,309/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
82% lower
132.2 vs 740.3 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
3.5% vs 4.8% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
15.9°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 88.3°F
Knoxville
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Knoxville
Median Home Value
$270k less
$184,200 vs $454,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $184,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $1,043 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $48,309 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 4.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 9.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | B (103) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 33.1% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 90.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | Knox County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 47.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 55.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 4.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 191,857 |
| Median Age | 35.4 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 46.2% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Knoxville's 92.8 (US average = 100).
Knoxville is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 17 of 22 categories. Gilbert wins 17 and Knoxville wins 5. 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 Gilbert to Knoxville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $184,200 median home), income ($115,179 vs $48,309), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Knoxville, TN are about 1,585 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.