City profile
Knoxville, TN
Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains with a lively Market Square and no state income tax.
Climate
Climate type
Mild & temperate
Winter avg
39°F
Summer avg
78°F
Sunny days / yr
205
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$320,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,951
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
92
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.56%
- State income tax (top)
- None
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 9.56%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 92/100
Top hazards: Lightning, Earthquake, Tornado
Nearest major airport
11 mi to McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 41% Democratic / 57% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
195,185
Growth since 2019
+4.8%
Median age
33.5
Residents 65+
14.6%
Median household income
$54,039
Income growth since 2019
+34.0%
Black household income
$40,081
Home ownership
46.6%
Poverty rate
20.2%
Poverty rate, 65+
14.4%
Race & ethnicity: Black 15.6% · White 70.5% · Hispanic 7.7% · Asian 1.6% · Other 4.6%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
685 · 108% above the national average
Property crime
2,359 · 52% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Knoxville Police Department. State average: violent 499, property 1,662.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸TN is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: tornadoes
Highlights
- Great Smoky Mountains nearby
- No state income tax
- University of Tennessee events
Trade-offs
- Limited transit
- Rising prices
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.