Knoxville, Tennessee
Gateway to the Smokies
U.S. News (2025)
#50 Best Places to Live
Livability (2025)
#38 Top 100 Best Places to Live
WhereAtHome Score
68.9
D+out of 100
Overview
Knoxville offers affordable living with access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The University of Tennessee anchors the economy, while no state income tax attracts relocations. The city has invested in downtown revitalization and outdoor recreation access.
Key Highlights
- Gateway to Great Smoky Mountains
- University of Tennessee flagship
- No state income tax
- Very affordable housing
- Growing downtown Market Square
- Strong outdoor recreation culture
Key Metrics
2024 Presidential Election
Knox County (county-level results)
Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more
Climate
Summer High
89°F
Winter Low
30°F
Annual Rainfall
47"
Sunny Days
204
Amenities & Infrastructure
92+ Parks
Green spaces and recreation
4 Major Hospitals
Healthcare access
2 Universities
Higher education institutions
Public Transit Available
Bus, rail, or metro service
Major Employers
Score Breakdown
6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.
Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)
How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)
Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)
Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)
Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)
Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)
Location
Compare with another city
Start ComparisonLast Updated: 2026-07-01
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.
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