Austin, Texas and Knoxville, Tennessee are two dynamic cities each with its unique charm. Austin, a hotbed of technology and music, provides a vibrant economy and a booming tech industry, but comes at a relatively high cost of living. In contrast, Knoxville, while maintaining a slower pace, is known for its scenic beauty, lower cost of living, and a growing small business sector. Both cities have unique aspects that make them attractive to tourists, including rich historical sites, outdoor activities, and outstanding local cuisine. Whether you are looking to relocate or take a vacation, the climate, cost-of-living, and cultural offerings of these cities deserve consideration.
Distance between
Austin, TX and
Knoxville, TN : 888.5 miles
Austin's population is larger by 401%. Its population has grown by 307,615 people (46.9%) since 2000. The population of Knoxville has grown by 18,758 people (10.8%) during that time.
Austin generally ranks safer than Knoxville in terms of crime rates. Knoxville's crime rate tends to be higher than the national average, with property crime being the most common type. Austin's crime rate is about average for a city of its size, but the central city area, university campus, and entertainment districts tend to be safer. Both cities have invested in proactive community policing and have seen crime rates decrease over recent years.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,411 registered sex offenders living in Austin and 613 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Austin is 672 to 1; the ratio in Knoxville is 304 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Austin than in Knoxville.
Cost of Living
Cost of living plays a significant role when choosing between Austin and Knoxville. Due to its booming economy and rapid population growth, Austin has a higher cost of living. Everything from groceries to housing is more expensive. In contrast, Knoxville boasts a lower cost of living, particularly in regards to housing. In fact, Knoxville’s cost of living tends to be lower than the national average.
Income Tax
Neither Texas nor Tennessee imposes a state income tax. Therefore neither Austin nor Knoxville residents need to account for this in their financial planning.
Property Tax
Texas has high property taxes compared to the national average with an average rate in Austin of about 1.83%. Knoxville, conversely, enjoys a lower property tax rate of approximately 0.93%.
Sales Tax
The state of Texas doesn't have an income tax and has a sales tax rate of 6.25%, but Austin can levy additional local sales taxes, which can total up to 2%, for a possible total tax rate of 8.25%. Tennessee, on the other hand, doesn't have a wage income tax but has a high sales tax rate of 7%, with Knoxville adding an additional sales tax of 2.25%, for a possible total tax rate of 9.25%.
Income
Type
Austin
Knoxville
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$45,700
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$31,855
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
86.5
If you make $50,000 in Knoxville, you will have to make $55,723 in Austin to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin is located in Central Texas and features diverse geography with hill country, lakes, and prairies. Knoxville is located in the Great Appalachian Valley and is surrounded by the Smoky Mountains and the Tennessee River, presenting robust opportunities for outdoor activities.
Both cities have strong educational offerings. Austin hosts a number of well-recognized universities including the University of Texas at Austin. It also has a high ratio of residents with a college degree. Knoxville is home to prestigious institutions like the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Additionally, Knoxville County Schools has implemented a variety of educational initiatives aiming to improve the overall quality of education in the community.
Austin’s economy is prospering with a heavy concentration in the technology sector. Known as “Silicon Hills,” Austin is home to many start-ups and tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Dell. On the other hand, Knoxville’s economy is more diverse with sectors such as government, education, and healthcare leading the way.
Biggest Employers
Austin's largest employers are Dell, IBM, the University of Texas at Austin, and the City of Austin. In Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, Covenant Health, and the U.S. Department of Energy are among its biggest employers.
There were 4,180 building permits issued in Austin in 2012 (2467 more than in 2011) compared to 261 building permits issued in Knoxville in 2012 (94 more than in 2011).
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Knoxville (Knox County), 34.5% voted for Democrats and 63.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
Knoxville
Austin
Knoxville
Austin
Knoxville
2020
71.7%
41.8%
26.5%
56.9%
1.8%
1.3%
2016
65.8%
34.9%
27.2%
58.8%
7.0%
6.3%
2012
60.2%
34.5%
36.2%
63.7%
3.6%
1.8%
2008
63.8%
37.8%
34.4%
60.9%
1.8%
1.3%
2004
56.1%
37.0%
42.1%
62.1%
1.8%
0.9%
2000
41.7%
40.6%
47.0%
57.9%
11.3%
1.5%
1996
52.4%
22.6%
40.0%
74.4%
7.7%
3.0%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
Knoxville
Austin
Knoxville
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
5.1%
4.5%
1.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
29.7%
22.8%
32.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
1.0%
2.8%
1.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.2%
0.7%
0.5%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.5%
2.5%
0.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.4%
2.1%
0.5%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.4%
0.6%
0.7%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.3%
1.0%
1.3%
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
0.1%
0.5%
0.4%
1.3%
Weather
The climate of Austin and Knoxville are vastly different. Austin experiences a hot semi-arid climate with mild winters and very hot, humid summers. Knoxville, on the other hand, has a humid subtropical climate. It has mild to cool winters and hot, muggy summers. Its higher elevation also provides cooler conditions compared to Austin.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
Knoxville
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
57.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
76.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
39%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
90%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
52.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
18 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
16.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
62.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
26%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
41%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
6.5 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in Knoxville, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
Knoxville
Austin
Knoxville
Austin
Knoxville
Austin
Knoxville
Knoxville
Knoxville
Austin
Knoxville
Austin
Knoxville
2018
76
71
N/A
0.17
4.9
0.6
26.7
28.8
N/A
N/A
17.0
N/A
8.7
9.4
0.2
0.6
2017
76
68
N/A
0.16
4.6
0.6
29.7
30.6
N/A
N/A
16.5
N/A
8.3
8.5
0.3
0.2
2016
71
71
N/A
0.18
4.2
0.8
29.5
32.7
N/A
N/A
19.1
N/A
8.2
N/A
0.2
0.5
2015
78
68
N/A
0.17
4.4
0.8
28.9
28.8
0.009
N/A
26.0
N/A
8.6
N/A
0.3
1.8
2014
74
62
N/A
0.14
5.2
N/A
28.3
29.2
0.011
N/A
23.7
N/A
8.7
N/A
0.5
1.6
2013
78
60
0.09
0.14
5.5
N/A
29.5
28.9
N/A
N/A
22.3
N/A
8.6
N/A
0.5
0.6
2012
86
92
0.13
0.16
5.5
N/A
30.1
32.1
N/A
N/A
24.9
N/A
8.6
N/A
N/A
0.4
2011
83
91
0.11
0.20
2.6
N/A
33.0
34.0
N/A
N/A
28.1
N/A
9.1
N/A
N/A
0.6
2010
77
94
0.05
0.18
3.2
0.9
29.4
32.3
N/A
N/A
29.2
N/A
8.8
N/A
N/A
0.9
2009
76
66
0.05
0.17
2.6
0.7
29.7
28.7
0.018
N/A
23.6
N/A
9.0
N/A
N/A
0.7
2008
81
96
0.12
0.18
3.2
N/A
30.7
33.2
0.023
N/A
32.5
N/A
9.7
N/A
N/A
1.5
2007
82
105
0.12
0.16
3.1
N/A
27.1
35.5
0.017
N/A
36.0
N/A
9.8
N/A
N/A
1.6
2006
89
98
0.14
N/A
3.8
N/A
31.3
30.2
0.024
N/A
36.3
N/A
10.0
N/A
0.2
2.3
2005
92
108
0.15
N/A
4.4
N/A
29.0
27.7
N/A
N/A
34.6
N/A
10.7
N/A
0.2
N/A
2004
74
103
0.16
N/A
3.3
N/A
26.8
24.9
0.015
N/A
41.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2003
85
112
0.26
N/A
4.2
N/A
28.9
23.4
0.010
N/A
40.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.1
2.8
2002
83
112
0.33
N/A
3.9
N/A
27.2
28.3
N/A
N/A
35.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.4
2001
83
109
0.31
N/A
4.2
N/A
25.5
28.9
N/A
N/A
35.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.3
2000
86
122
0.28
N/A
4.7
11.8
27.8
25.2
N/A
N/A
34.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
Knoxville
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
64.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
177.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
13%
Transportation
Austin has an extensive highway system and an expanding public transit network, though traffic congestion can be an issue. Knoxville has a smaller, less congested road network and a functional public transit system called KAT (Knoxville Area Transit) that offers bus services throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Transport
Type
Austin
Knoxville
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
911
366
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
19
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
Knoxville
Bicycle
0.8%
0%
Bus
1.5%
0.6%
Carpooled
7.9%
5.5%
Car alone
85.9%
91.4%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
2%
1.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
Knoxville
Average
29.9 min
26.5 min
Other means
22.7 min
20.9 min
Public transportation
37.9 min
33.4 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Austin
Knoxville
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
91.2%
91.4%
In 2 person carpool
6.3%
6.8%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
0.7%
In 4 person carpool
0.6%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market in Austin has seen a significant increase in housing prices over the past decade due to population growth and economic boom. Knoxville, in contrast, has a much more stable and affordable housing market which has increasingly attracted out-of-state buyers.
Neighborhoods
Both Austin and Knoxville offer a variety of neighborhoods each with its own unique charm. In Austin, neighborhoods like Hyde Park and South Congress are highly sought after. Knoxville is also home to popular neighborhoods like Sequoyah Hills and Bearden, each offering a sense of community and charm.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
Knoxville
Houses
469,156
94,457
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.2
Median year apartment built
1997
1978
Median year house/condo built
1988
1964
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.1 years
13.2 years
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
85,151 (90.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
40,535 (47.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
44,616 (52.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$882.25
Median monthly housing costs
$1,521
$945
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$134,979
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$193,600
Median numbers of rooms
4.4
5
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
6.2
Median house price - detached houses
$595,996
$261,152
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$393,984
$185,738
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$262,826
$206,216
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$576,111
$237,681
Median house price - mobile homes
$56,102
$92,571
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$459,657
$225,200
Median house price - All housing units
$571,154
$256,619
Median house age
28
49
Renting percentage
54.9%
50.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
1,019.4
House value disparities
28.4%
34.8%
Household income disparities
44.8%
47.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$141,177
$76,198
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$86,430
$58,442
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
497 (1.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
1,206 (4.7%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
25,330 (98.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
167 (0.6%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
1,649 (6.4%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
2.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
1.8%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Austin
Knoxville
One, detached
43.1%
54.1%
One, attached
5.2%
5.2%
Two
2.4%
3.2%
3 or 4
4.1%
4.2%
5 to 9
7.2%
8.3%
10 to 19
11.0%
9.2%
20 to 49
8.9%
6.5%
50 or more
17.2%
8.7%
Mobile homes
1.0%
0.7%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
6,351
State government workers
46,229
7,257
Unpaid family workers
102
197
Industries and Occupations
In Austin, the tech industry reigns supreme, providing many opportunities for software engineers, data scientists, and IT managers. Knoxville, however, has a diverse economy with leading sectors being education, healthcare, and retail distribution.
Austin is home to the Dell Medical School and other leading hospitals, boasting a robust healthcare system. Knoxville also has advanced medical facilities and services, including the University of Tennessee Medical Center, which is the region's level I trauma center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
Knoxville
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Austin and Knoxville both feature robust infrastructures, though Austin’s rapid growth has put a strain on its highways and public transit. In contrast, Knoxville has maintained its roads and public transit well, even as the city has grown, leading to fewer infrastructure-related issues for residents and visitors.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
Knoxville
Hospitals
65
20
TV stations
20
15
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
264
152
Bank institutions located here
43
38
Main business address for public companies
44
6
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
46
6
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Austin
Knoxville
1999
4,733
1,372
2000
2,950
1,152
2001
2,038
886
2002
1,772
1,367
2003
2,213
1,014
2004
2,458
1,080
2005
3,121
1,218
2006
3,367
1,159
2007
2,560
701
2008
1,747
329
2009
1,067
222
Culture and Food
Austin is known for its live music scene, food trucks, and art festivals. It is the host city for major festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits. Knoxville, known as the “Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains,” offers rich history, outdoor activities, and a unique blend of Southern cuisine.
Sports Teams
Austin is home to the Texas Longhorns collegiate teams and the Austin FC Major League Soccer team. Knoxville residents root for the Tennessee Volunteers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Both cities support their local teams with unabashed enthusiasm.
Austin, TX
Knoxville, TN
Austin, TX and 
Knoxville, TN : 888.5 miles
