Knoxville 73 Excellent
Knoxville Livability #22 ranked city in Tennessee#4,681 ranked city in the USARanks better than 84% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Knoxville

PROS
  • Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

  • Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

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What's it like Living in Knoxville?

Knoxville is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Tennessee. The city has a population of 187,487 people. At 76%, the majority of the Knoxville population is White; this is followed by 17% Black and 2% Asian. Knoxville tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 33 is far below the national average. In Knoxville, only 42% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Knoxville is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Knoxville can be a great experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Tennessee, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like cost of living, health & safety, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Knoxville and in the areas around Knoxville is a much easier task.

The livability score in Knoxville is 72 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 84th percentile of all cities across America. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Knoxville ranks well for housing (A-) There is at least one category that did not score well in Knoxville. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: crime (F), education (D) and employment (F).

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Knoxville apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Knoxville real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Knoxville. Median real estate prices in Knoxville come in at $142,700, which is 2.3% lower than the Tennessee average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Knoxville, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 9.7% higher than the Tennessee average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Knoxville

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Knoxville?

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Compare Knoxville, TN Livability

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      Knoxville transportation information

      Statistic Knoxville Tennessee National
      Average one way commute21min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.1%83.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.9%9.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.5%0.8%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.0%1.4%2.8%
      Working from home6.5%3.9%4.6%
      Source: The Knoxville, TN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).