Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Houston, TX
VS
Knoxville, TN
🏆 Knoxville leads 12 of 22 categories
Houston
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$60,440 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
302⚠ High
Population
2,296,253 ✓ Larger
Knoxville
Tennessee
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,309
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
191,857
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Houston, TX
Pros
Households earn $12,131 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 48°F
Cons
Violent crime (1148.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4293.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 4.8%)
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Pros
36% less violent crime than Houston
Homes cost $51k less ($184,200 vs $235,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (4.8%)
Rent averages $192/mo less ($1,043 vs $1,235)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.8)
Cons
Violent crime (740.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Houston by $12,131/yr
Property crime (2721.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Houston
Median Income
$12,131
$60,440 vs $48,309/yr
Houston
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 93.2°F vs 88.3°F
Knoxville
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Knoxville
Violent Crime
36% lower
740.3 vs 1148.2 per 100k
Knoxville
Median Home Value
$51k less
$184,200 vs $235,000
Knoxville
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Knoxville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.2⚠ High | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $235,000 | $184,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,235 | $1,043 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,440 ✓ Higher | $48,309 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.4 min | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 9.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 263⚠ High | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 302⚠ High | 195⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 204⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.1:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.2% ✓ Higher | 33.1% |
| High School or Higher | 79.6% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | HOUSTON ISD | Knox County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.8°F ✓ Warmer | 47.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.4" ✓ Drier | 55.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 4.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,296,253 ✓ Larger | 191,857 |
| Median Age | 33.9 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 46.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.9% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.6% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Houston's cost of living index is 100.2 vs Knoxville's 92.8 (US average = 100).
Knoxville is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Knoxville leads 12 of 22 categories. Houston wins 10 and Knoxville wins 12. 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 Houston to Knoxville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($235,000 vs $184,200 median home), income ($60,440 vs $48,309), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Houston, TX and Knoxville, TN are about 789 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.