Jacksonville, Florida, and Knoxville, Tennessee, are two vibrant US cities with varying degrees of appeal. While Jacksonville prides itself on subtropical climates, beautiful beaches, and a burgeoning economy, Knoxville offers a host of cultural, educational, and outdoor activities, set against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. This detailed comparison highlights all the essential factors like crime/safety, cost of living, education, and more, to provide an insightful view on the differences and similarities of living or visiting these two cities.
Distance between
Jacksonville, FL and
Knoxville, TN : 412.3 miles
Jacksonville's population is larger by 396%. Its population has grown by 218,997 people (29.8%) since 2000. The population of Knoxville has grown by 18,758 people (10.8%) during that time.
Comparatively, Jacksonville has a higher crime rate than Knoxville. While the crime rate in Jacksonville is decreasing, it is still above the national average. On the other hand, Knoxville has a lower crime rate, making it slightly safer. However, it's important to note that safety can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood in both cities. Visitors and potential residents should research specific areas of interest to get a more accurate picture.
Cost of Living
The overall cost of living is higher in Jacksonville when compared to Knoxville. From housing to utility prices, residents in Jacksonville tend to pay more. On the other hand, Knoxville remains a cheaper alternative, with housing prices significantly lower than the national average. However, healthcare costs are a bit higher in Knoxville.
Income Tax
One of the financial perks of living in Jacksonville is Florida's lack of state income tax. Tennessee, too, does not impose state income tax, which is advantageous for Knoxville residents.
Property Tax
Property taxes in Jacksonville are higher compared to Knoxville. It's important to consider this while discussing the cost of living or thinking of buying property in either city.
Sales Tax
Florida has a statewide sales tax of 6%, and Jacksonville does not impose additional city sales tax. Tennessee's state sales tax is 7%, but Knoxville also charges an additional 2.25% city sales tax.
Income
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Estimated median household income
$58,621
$45,700
Estimated per capita income
$32,953
$31,855
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
88.3
86.5
If you make $50,000 in Knoxville, you will have to make $51,040 in Jacksonville to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Being a coastal city, Jacksonville offers a variety of water-related recreational activities. Knoxville, situated in the Great Smoky Mountains, provides a variety of outdoor activities with beautiful hiking trails.
Jacksonville and Knoxville offer diverse educational opportunities. Jacksonville hosts several highly-rated schools and colleges, including the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University. Knoxville is the home of the University of Tennessee, and several well-regarded elementary, middle and high schools. For families with kids, the quality and availability of education could be a deciding factor.
Jacksonville's economy is diversely spread across different sectors such as finance, logistics, healthcare, and military. In contrast, Knoxville's economy revolves around a mix of manufacturing, services, retailing and wholesaling. Job growth in both markets is positive, with Jacksonville having a slightly higher job growth rate than Knoxville.
Biggest Employers
The largest employers in Jacksonville include Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Duval County Public Schools, and the City of Jacksonville. In Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, Covenant Health, and the US Department of Energy are among the major employers.
There were 1,310 building permits issued in Jacksonville in 2012 (353 more than in 2011) compared to 261 building permits issued in Knoxville in 2012 (94 more than in 2011).
In Jacksonville (Duval County), 47.9% voted for Democrats and 51.5% 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
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Jacksonville
Knoxville
2020
51.3%
41.8%
47.5%
56.9%
1.2%
1.3%
2016
47.2%
34.9%
48.6%
58.8%
4.2%
6.3%
2012
47.9%
34.5%
51.5%
63.7%
0.6%
1.8%
2008
49.0%
37.8%
51.0%
60.9%
0.0%
1.3%
2004
41.7%
37.0%
57.9%
62.1%
0.3%
0.9%
2000
40.9%
40.6%
57.7%
57.9%
1.4%
1.5%
1996
44.2%
22.6%
50.0%
74.4%
5.8%
3.0%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Jacksonville
Knoxville
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
15.8%
29.7%
22.3%
32.9%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
9.0%
5.1%
2.8%
1.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
1.0%
2.3%
1.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.2%
0.6%
0.5%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.5%
0.9%
0.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
0.7%
0.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.3%
1.4%
1.3%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.4%
0.9%
0.7%
Weather
Weather is one of the biggest contrasts between Jacksonville and Knoxville. Jacksonville boasts a subtropical climate, boasting warm, humid summers and mild winters which is great for beach-lovers. However, it does experience more severe weather, including hurricanes. Knoxville, on the other hand, has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, including relatively mild summers and cooler winters. However, it's worth noting that Knoxville is considerably less prone to severe weather.
Weather and climate
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Temperature - Average
68.3°F
57.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
78.4%
76.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
44%
39%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
92%
90%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
51%
Precipitation - Yearly average
51.8 in
52.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
18 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.8%
16.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.6%
62.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
16%
26%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
74%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
58%
41%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
6.5 mph
Average climate in Jacksonville, Florida
Average climate in Knoxville, Tennessee
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Knoxville
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Knoxville
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Jacksonville
Knoxville
2018
78
71
N/A
0.17
0.6
N/A
24.5
28.8
N/A
N/A
17.0
N/A
7.1
9.4
N/A
0.6
2017
74
68
N/A
0.16
0.6
N/A
24.7
30.6
N/A
N/A
16.5
N/A
5.8
8.5
0.7
0.2
2016
65
71
0.50
0.18
0.8
N/A
24.9
32.7
N/A
N/A
19.1
N/A
5.2
N/A
0.4
0.5
2015
63
68
0.35
0.17
0.8
N/A
25.4
28.8
N/A
0.009
26.0
N/A
4.9
N/A
0.3
1.8
2014
66
62
0.27
0.14
N/A
N/A
24.3
29.2
N/A
0.011
23.7
N/A
5.9
N/A
0.7
1.6
2013
68
60
0.18
0.14
N/A
N/A
23.0
28.9
N/A
N/A
22.3
N/A
5.3
N/A
0.7
0.6
2012
66
92
0.10
0.16
N/A
N/A
24.0
32.1
N/A
N/A
24.9
N/A
5.8
N/A
0.6
0.4
2011
88
91
0.28
0.20
N/A
N/A
26.6
34.0
N/A
N/A
28.1
N/A
8.1
N/A
0.8
0.6
2010
77
94
0.31
0.18
0.9
N/A
26.4
32.3
N/A
N/A
29.2
N/A
7.1
N/A
0.8
0.9
2009
72
66
0.16
0.17
0.7
N/A
25.0
28.7
N/A
0.018
23.6
N/A
8.5
N/A
0.6
0.7
2008
75
96
0.15
0.18
N/A
N/A
27.6
33.2
N/A
0.023
32.5
N/A
10.0
N/A
0.9
1.5
2007
92
105
0.29
0.16
N/A
N/A
28.4
35.5
N/A
0.017
36.0
N/A
11.4
N/A
1.2
1.6
2006
87
98
0.35
N/A
N/A
N/A
29.0
30.2
N/A
0.024
36.3
N/A
10.8
N/A
1.4
2.3
2005
93
108
0.42
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.5
27.7
N/A
N/A
34.6
N/A
12.2
N/A
1.8
N/A
2004
92
103
0.40
N/A
N/A
N/A
25.2
24.9
N/A
0.015
41.2
N/A
12.4
N/A
1.4
N/A
2003
55
112
0.43
N/A
N/A
N/A
21.6
23.4
N/A
0.010
40.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
2.8
2002
59
112
0.49
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.2
28.3
0.003
N/A
35.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.7
3.4
2001
74
109
0.49
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.0
28.9
0.009
N/A
35.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.5
3.3
2000
85
122
0.52
N/A
11.8
N/A
25.1
25.2
0.017
N/A
34.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
2.5
Natural disasters
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
75.2%
64.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
18.1%
177.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
24%
13%
Transportation
Jacksonville is served by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority which provides buses, trolley-replica buses, and a monorail system. Knoxville's public transportation is handled by Knoxville Area Transit (KAT), offering buses, trolleys, and paratransit services.
Transport
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
566
366
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
34
19
Means of transportation to work
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Bicycle
0.2%
0%
Bus
1.1%
0.6%
Carpooled
9%
5.5%
Car alone
86.5%
91.4%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.1%
Walked
1.2%
1.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Average
27.5 min
26.5 min
Other means
25 min
20.9 min
Public transportation
43.7 min
33.4 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
89.4%
91.4%
In 2 person carpool
8%
6.8%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
0.7%
In 4 person carpool
0.7%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
In Jacksonville, the real estate market is bustling, characterized by a mix of traditional neighborhoods, luxury waterfront properties, and urban condo living. Conversely, in Knoxville, the housing market is more affordable, with diverse options, from historic homes to new construction.
Neighborhoods
Jacksonville and Knoxville feature a variety of neighborhoods catering to different lifestyles. Riverside and San Marco are trendy spots in Jacksonville with a bustling arts scene, while West Knoxville and Old City are known for their shopping and dining facilities in Knoxville.
Houses and residents
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Houses
422,315
94,457
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.2
Median year apartment built
1985
1978
Median year house/condo built
1987
1964
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.5 years
13.2 years
Houses occupied
386,283 (91.5%)
85,151 (90.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
226,429 (58.6%)
40,535 (47.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
159,854 (41.4%)
44,616 (52.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,444
$882.25
Median monthly housing costs
$1,154
$945
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$260,045
$134,979
Estimated median house or condo value
$239,400
$193,600
Median numbers of rooms
5.6
5
Median number of rooms in apartments
4.3
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.3
6.2
Median house price - detached houses
$282,276
$261,152
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$177,341
$185,738
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$144,947
$206,216
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$220,508
$237,681
Median house price - mobile homes
$87,589
$92,571
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$213,709
$225,200
Median house price - All housing units
$266,926
$256,619
Median house age
36
49
Renting percentage
38.3%
50.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
557.4
1,019.4
House value disparities
33.2%
34.8%
Household income disparities
44.2%
47.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$83,160
$76,198
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$59,777
$58,442
Housing units without a mortgage
2,439 (1.6%)
497 (1.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,460 (5.5%)
1,206 (4.7%)
Housing units with a mortgage
150,468 (98.4%)
25,330 (98.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
255 (0.2%)
167 (0.6%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
11,378 (7.4%)
1,649 (6.4%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
2.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.4%
1.8%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Jacksonville
Knoxville
One, detached
59.4%
54.1%
One, attached
6.1%
5.2%
Two
2.1%
3.2%
3 or 4
5.3%
4.2%
5 to 9
5.0%
8.3%
10 to 19
7.9%
9.2%
20 to 49
4.9%
6.5%
50 or more
5.3%
8.7%
Mobile homes
3.8%
0.7%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.2%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
19,601
6,351
State government workers
13,692
7,257
Unpaid family workers
1,066
197
Industries and Occupations
Jacksonville houses multiple thriving industries such as healthcare, financial services, aerospace, and defense. Conversely, Knoxville's significant industries comprise advanced manufacturing, retail, and health care with numerous opportunities in administration and sales.
Both cities have numerous healthcare facilities. Jacksonville homes world-renowned healthcare facilities like Mayo Clinic and Wolfson Children's Hospital. Knoxville's healthcare is anchored by the University of Tennessee Medical Center and East Tennessee Children's Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Jacksonville boasts a plethora of modern infrastructure and amenities. As the largest city area-wise in the US, it has varied residential, commercial and industrial spaces. Meanwhile, Knoxville, while smaller, has a compact city design featuring a blend of historical and modern architecture, lending it a unique charm.
Infrastructure
Type
Jacksonville
Knoxville
Hospitals
25
20
TV stations
17
15
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
191
152
Bank institutions located here
31
38
Main business address for public companies
23
6
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
20
6
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Jacksonville
Knoxville
1999
5,422
1,372
2000
4,132
1,152
2001
3,038
886
2002
2,017
1,367
2003
3,563
1,014
2004
4,781
1,080
2005
7,134
1,218
2006
8,812
1,159
2007
5,298
701
2008
1,719
329
2009
676
222
Culture and Food
Both cities offer an eclectic cultural scene. Jacksonville is known for its flourishing arts scene, featuring numerous galleries and a vibrant street-art scene. Meanwhile, Knoxville is home to a thriving live music and food scene. In terms of food, both cities boast a mix of local and international cuisine, but seafood is especially prominent in Jacksonville, while Knoxville is known for southern BBQ.
Sports Teams
Sports fans will find plenty to cheer for in both cities. Jacksonville hosts the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, and minor league baseball’s Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Knoxville doesn't have major league teams, but the University of Tennessee's Volunteers teams have a dedicated fan base.
Jacksonville, FL
Knoxville, TN
