
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Alcoa, Tennessee is a mid-sized city with a population of 10,194 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (77% White). Given that fact, Alcoa could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Alcoa your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 25 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Alcoa is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving to any new city in Tennessee, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Alcoa, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, health & safety, education, housing and more.
The livability score in Alcoa is 66/100 and the city is ranked in the 64th percentile of all cities across America. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Alcoa has higher than average scores for the following: housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Alcoa. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F), education (D-) and employment (D).
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Alcoa has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Alcoa. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Alcoa are affordable. Median real estate prices in Alcoa come in at $253,959, which is 3.1% lower than the Tennessee average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Alcoa, the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.7% lower than the Tennessee average.

Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Alcoa | Tennessee | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.8% | 83.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.5% | 9.2% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.8% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.6% | 1.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.2% | 3.9% | 4.6% |