Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Knoxville, TN
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Knoxville leads 12 of 22 categories
Knoxville
Tennessee
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,309
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
191,857 ✓ Larger
Warren
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$61,633 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
138,588
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Knoxville, TN
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (4.8%)
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 32°F
Rent averages $96/mo less ($1,043 vs $1,139)
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 Warren by $13,324/yr
Property crime (2721.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Warren, MI
Pros
27% less violent crime than Knoxville
Households earn $13,324 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 4.8%)
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Knoxville
Key Differences at a Glance
Knoxville
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Knoxville
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
4.8% vs 7.4% unemployment
Knoxville
Summer Heat
4.8°F warmer
July avg high 88.3°F vs 83.5°F
Warren
Median Income
$13,324
$61,633 vs $48,309/yr
Warren
Violent Crime
27% lower
541.8 vs 740.3 per 100k
Warren
Median Home Value
$15k less
$169,300 vs $184,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $184,200 | $169,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,043 ✓ Lower | $1,139 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $48,309 | $61,633 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.1% ✓ Higher | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 169⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 195⚠ High | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.1% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 90.2% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Knox County | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.9°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.3°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.8" | 29.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 4.6" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 191,857 ✓ Larger | 138,588 |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.2% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.2% | 21.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.2% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Knoxville's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Knoxville is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Knoxville leads 12 of 22 categories. Knoxville wins 12 and Warren wins 10. 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 Knoxville to Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($184,200 vs $169,300 median home), income ($48,309 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Knoxville, TN and Warren, MI are about 453 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.