Moving can be scary, especially if you’re not familiar with the city you’re considering moving to. Oftentimes, it can be difficult to figure out if a city will meet our unique needs. For example, you may be starting a family and you need to live in an affordable city with great schools. Perhaps you’re living in a region with a high crime rate, and you want to feel safer in your home.
When it comes to choosing your next city of residence, you deserve to feel comfortable and confident in making that decision. This is why we have put together a comprehensive guide for soon-to-be movers thinking of settling in Knoxville, a charming city in East Tennessee.
In this guide, we answer some of your most pressing and important questions. Is Knoxville a safe place to live? What is it like living in Knoxville, TN? What are some of the key pros and cons of living in Knoxville? Here’s everything you need to know about the city and why you want to move to Knoxville.
Knoxville vs. Other Tennessee Areas
Knoxville living is much more affordable than many other parts of Tennessee. While the exact price of living in Knoxville, TN, varies depending on the size of your home, your lifestyle, and other factors, affordability is one of the primary benefits of living in Knoxville.
Based on a U.S. living index with an average of 100, Knoxville ranks at 85.5. On this index, any city falling below 100 is cheaper to live in than the national average; any city falling above 100 is more expensive to live in than the U.S. average. Since the city of Knoxville ranks at 85.5, it is less pricey than most other cities in the U.S., including other Tennessee areas.
For instance, it is 15.7% less expensive than Nashville-Davidson, with real estate costs coming in 33.8% lower. This is likely because Knoxville has a significantly smaller population than Nashville-Davidson. The cost of living is very similar in both Knoxville and Clarksville, TN, but Knoxville is cheaper when it comes to categories like utilities, health care, and transportation.
Do you love the vibrancy and hustle and bustle of a city, without the feeling of claustrophobia you sometimes get in a city of millions? If so, then Knoxville Living could be the perfect fit. It’s the third-most populated city in Tennessee (with 190,740 people), coming after Nashville-Davidson (715,884 people) and Memphis (633,104 people). The fact that you can feel surrounded by a community without feeling overly condensed is undoubtedly one of the best things about living in Knoxville.
What Locals Say About Knoxville
Knoxville living is beloved among locals (also known as Knoxvillians) from all backgrounds. Whether you’re a young professional or settling down for retirement, the city of Knoxville has something to offer everyone. If you were to search for living in Knoxville, TN reviews, you would see for yourself that people who live here have no shortage of positive things to say.
One local boasted that Knoxville is “one of the few affordable mountain cities left.” Posting their review online, the user said that Knoxville is unrivaled for recreation. “Whether you’re [into] boating, mountain biking, hiking, or horse riding, this area has you covered,” they said. “Tons of beautiful lakes in the area provide endless boating fun, and Knoxville’s thriving urban core gives Nashville a run for its money.”
The local also mentioned that the city of Knoxville is home to some of Tennessee’s best dining and theatre experiences.
Another former Knoxvillian said that they “absolutely loved living in Knoxville.” In their opinion, some of the best things about living in Knoxville were its gorgeous natural attractions, including walking trails and quarries.
“Along with the gorgeous country areas, the downtown Knoxville area has a bustling city feel. The farmer’s market, quaint stores, and amazing restaurants make it a fun place to go for a night out,” they said. “Anywhere in the city also feels very safe and family-friendly, and it is overall a great, livable location.”
Local opinions about Knoxville also tend to mention the beautiful climate, great public schools, and safety as some of the key benefits of living in Knoxville. Clearly, the quality of life in this region of East Tennessee is second to none, even earning it a grade of A- on Niche.
Benefits of Living in Knoxville
If you’re wondering what to know before moving to Knoxville, then we’ve got you covered in this section of our comprehensive guide. Like any other city, there are some unique pros and cons of living in Knoxville. Here, we’ll discuss the ways in which the pros outweigh the cons to put your mind at ease.
One of the key benefits of living in Knoxville is its livability. According to Knox News, Knoxville residents enjoy a lower average cost of living than the U.S. average. This is reflected in reasonable real estate, transportation, and utility expenses. According to the cost of living index, the average price of a home and the average monthly rent are also well below the average for other large metro areas. The median home price in Knoxville was reported $172,333 in 2018, lower than the country’s median home price of $227,025.
Another perk of Knoxville living is that if you decide to sell your home, you’ll have plenty of options. For example, at Nexus Homebuyers, we buy homes in Tennessee. With cash home buyers from Chattanooga to Knoxville, we can help you sell your home in record time. If you’ve been searching, “sell my house fast Knoxville,” then you’ve found the only solution you need here at Nexus Homebuyers. and you’ll get a price that reflects the home value.
Knox News also reported that the job market in the city of Knoxville is a strong performer. Specifically, in 2018, Knoxville boasted a 3.3% unemployment rate, which was lower than the U.S. average of 3.9%.
Best Things About Living in Knoxville
There’s no shortage of breathtaking natural attractions in Knoxville. For example, there is the Ijams Nature Center, which is a 315-acre visitor-supported not-for-profit organization. Here, you can hike, bike, climb, paddle, explore, or soak up the sunrise or sunset in Knoxville, TN.
If you love to fish, you’ll be delighted to know that the Tennessee River also runs through the heart of downtown Knoxville. It’s a beautiful, natural centerpiece that makes the city unique.
The city is also home to the House Mountain State Natural Area. This is an incredible mountain range that’s perfect for hikers seeking a challenge. Although the hikes may be strenuous, the views at the top of these summits make excellent rewards. Whether you go on your own or with your family, you’re sure to enjoy top-tier views that you simply can’t find anywhere else.
You can also see incredible wildlife and mountainous views at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Renowned for its diversity in plant life and wildlife, this is the nation’s most visited national park.
If you’re more interested in flowers and shrubbery, then the UT Gardens are a great way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Knoxville, TN. These gardens function as an outdoor laboratory, designed to help us evaluate the performance and landscape use of all kinds of plants. From shrubs and trees to perennials and annuals, these gardens have it all. You’ll also find a children’s garden, a sustainable kitchen garden, perennial borders, and a formal rose garden, along with some annual beds, old-growth trees, and seasonal displays.
Knoxville Living is designed for foodies. One of the best things about living in Knoxville, TN, is its wide selection of outstanding restaurants and bars, the likes of which have been featured in news outlets across the country. Whether you’re in the mood for breakfast cafes or breweries, desserts, or downtown dining, you’ll find it all here in the city of Knoxville. Market Square, located in downtown Knoxville, is home to some of the city’s best eats. Head to the Visit Knoxville website to discover the rich diversity of the dining culture in this charming corner of East Tennessee.
Another one of the great things about living in Knoxville is the excellent public schools. Whether you’re getting ready to send your child to first grade or to high school, you’ll rest easy knowing they are attending one of the finest schools in the country. Knoxville is also a college town, housing the University of Tennessee, located in downtown Knoxville. After your children graduate high school, you’ll know they have a bright future waiting for them at UT. You can find a comprehensive list of some of Knoxville’s best school districts here.
Before moving to Knoxville, it’s natural to wonder if Knoxville is a safe place to live. Knoxville is actually one of the safest places to live in Tennessee, ranking 11% higher on the safety index than other cities in Tennessee. It also ranks 6% safer than other cities in the country. Additionally, the crime rate in Knoxville has consistently decreased year over year. The violent crime rate in Knoxville has lowered by 17% while the property crime rate in Knoxville has lowered by 7%. The total crime rate in the city of Knoxville has lowered by 8% year to year.
For more tips on relocating to Knoxville, check out our complete moving guide.
There are countless factors to consider when moving to a new city. By familiarizing yourself with the pros and cons of living in Knoxville, the style of Knoxville living, and the best things about living in Knoxville, you’ve taken an amazing first step in starting a new chapter of your future in this inviting Tennessee city. Before you know it, you’ll be a Knoxville boasting about all the amenities your new home has to offer.
