Knoxville vs Memphis
Compare Knoxville, TN and Memphis, TN on cost, HUD rent, safety, climate, commute, schools, outdoor access, food, and source-labeled relocation data.
The verdict
Housing costs are close: ACS median rent is $1,012/mo in Knoxville and $1,091/mo in Memphis, with HUD 2-bedroom benchmarks of $1,221/mo and $1,298/mo. Across the four public-data screens (cost/climate, work, daily life, community) the metros land close together (230 vs 235 summed points), so the right pick depends on which tradeoffs you can live with.
Their climates screen similarly — summer highs near 88°F and 90°F respectively. Long-term hazard exposure also separates them: Knoxville screens more resilient on the FEMA National Risk Index composite (71 vs 21/100, higher = lower expected annual loss per resident). If lower housing cost leads your list, start with Knoxville; if walkable daily life matters more, Knoxville screens stronger on the walkability proxy (10 vs 10). These are metro-level public-data screens — verify neighborhoods, school districts, commutes, and actual listings before deciding.
Category summary
Knoxville leads 82 to 71 on the cost and climate screen.
Both cities are close on the work screen.
Knoxville leads 43 to 40 on the daily life screen.
Memphis leads 51 to 31 on the community screen.
$85,000 in Knoxville is roughly $106,250 in Memphis using WhereToThrive's cost index and state-tax adjustment.
Category comparison
| Metric | Knoxville | Memphis | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACS median gross rent | $1,012/mo | $1,091/mo | Knoxville |
| HUD 2BR FMR | $1,221/mo | $1,298/mo | Knoxville |
| Median home value | $231,000 | $208,000 | Memphis |
| State income tax | None | None | Tie |
| Average commute | 26 min | 26.2 min | Knoxville |
| Safety score | 22/100 | 33/100 | Memphis |
| School score | 5/10 | 5/10 | Tie |
| Walkability estimate | 10/100 | 10/100 | Tie |
| Outdoor score | 8/10 | 6/10 | Knoxville |
| Restaurants per 100k | 170.9 | 166.9 | Knoxville |
| Mountain distance | 11 mi | 8 mi | Memphis |
| Coast distance | 297 mi | 328 mi | Knoxville |
| Climate-risk composite (FEMA NRI) | 71/100 | 21/100 | Knoxville |
| Heat wave risk percentile (NRI) | 4th | 94th | Knoxville |
| Winter weather risk percentile (NRI) | 71th | 28th | Memphis |
| Tornado risk percentile (NRI) | 63th | 91th | Knoxville |
What stands out
Knoxville stronger signals
- No state income tax
- Strong outdoor access
- Trail access within 34 miles
- Public park/protected-area signal within 0 miles
Knoxville tradeoffs
- Lower safety score than stronger alternatives
Memphis stronger signals
- No state income tax
- Trail access within 49 miles
- Public park/protected-area signal within 1 miles
- Ski location within 127 miles
Memphis tradeoffs
- Higher natural disaster risk
- Lower safety score than stronger alternatives
Common questions
Is Knoxville cheaper than Memphis?
On public benchmarks Knoxville is the cheaper metro: ACS median rent is $1,012/mo in Knoxville vs $1,091/mo in Memphis; HUD 2-bedroom Fair Market Rents are $1,221/mo vs $1,298/mo; state income tax is 0% vs 0%.
Is Knoxville or Memphis safer?
Memphis screens safer at the metro level: safety scores are 22/100 for Knoxville and 33/100 for Memphis (FBI-reported metro rates; neighborhood variation is larger than metro averages).
Which is better for families, Knoxville or Memphis?
School screens show 5/10 for Knoxville vs 5/10 for Memphis, alongside the safety scores above. Both screen similarly — district-level research will matter more than the metro gap.
How different is the climate between Knoxville and Memphis?
Knoxville: summer highs near 88°F, winter lows near 28°F, disaster-risk band 1/3. Memphis: 90°F / 29°F, disaster-risk band 3/3 (NOAA climate normals).
Keep researching
Score this comparison with your own constraints
Public comparison pages use equal-weighted signals. The questionnaire reweights cities around your housing budget, climate preferences, work needs, family needs, and daily-life priorities.
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