Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Knoxville to Houston
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Houston has a higher median household income ($64,813 vs $54,039) and higher median gross rent ($1,361 vs $1,191) than Knoxville. Houston’s median home value is also higher ($277,800 vs $239,700), while its commute is longer (30 vs 22 minutes). Texas applies a 0.00% state individual income tax in the calculator, whereas Tennessee’s rate is excluded per data boundaries. These factors reflect trade-offs in affordability, earnings, and time costs.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → KnoxvilleMoving from Knoxville to Houston
Median Rent Impact
+$170/mo
Moving to Houston costs ~$2,040 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+8 min / day
Difference of ~67 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTKNO → HOU
58/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$10,344after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Knoxville is about $2,040 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Knoxville household income$54,039
Houston household income$64,813
Knoxville gross rent$1,191
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Knoxville | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 195,185 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $54,039 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,191 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $239,700 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 22 minutes in Knoxville and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Houston has higher median income
- Knoxville has lower median gross rent
- Houston has longer average commute time
- Texas applies 0.00% state income tax in model
What each city wins
Knoxville
Rent-to-income ratio is near typical affordability benchmarks.. Watch lower home values may reflect trade-offs in job access or amenities..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Houston has higher median gross rent ($1,361) and median home value ($277,800) than Knoxville ($1,191 rent, $239,700 value), but also higher income ($64,813 vs $54,039), so affordability depends on income-to-cost ratios.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
The derived one-way commute estimate is 22 minutes for Knoxville and 30 minutes for Houston, based on weighted midpoints from the 2024 ACS table B0803, indicating Houston residents spend more time commuting on average.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.