Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Knoxville, TN
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Knoxville leads 11 of 19 categories
Knoxville
Tennessee
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,309
Violent Crime Index
195⚠ High
Population
191,857
Worcester
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Knoxville, TN
Pros
Homes cost $121k less ($184,200 vs $305,600)
Rent averages $269/mo less ($1,043 vs $1,312)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (4.8%)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 32°F
Cons
Violent crime (740.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Worcester by $14,702/yr
Property crime (2721.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Worcester, MA
Pros
98% less violent crime than Knoxville
Households earn $14,702 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 88°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Knoxville
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 4.8%)
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Knoxville
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.8 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Knoxville
Median Home Value
$121k less
$184,200 vs $305,600
Knoxville
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.6% unemployment
Knoxville
Summer Heat
8.5°F warmer
July avg high 88.3°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Median Income
$14,702
$63,011 vs $48,309/yr
Worcester
Violent Crime
98% lower
16.5 vs 740.3 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.8 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $184,200 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,043 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $48,309 | $63,011 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.1% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 169⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 195⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.1% | 33.1% |
| High School or Higher | 90.2% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Knox County | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.9°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.3°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 55.8" | 48.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 4.6" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 191,857 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.2% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 18.2% | 19.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.2% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Knoxville's cost of living index is 92.8 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Knoxville is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, Knoxville leads 11 of 19 categories. Knoxville wins 11 and Worcester wins 8. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($184,200 vs $305,600 median home), income ($48,309 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Knoxville, TN and Worcester, MA are about 782 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.