16 Pros and Cons of Living in Knoxville, TN

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Knoxville, Tennessee, has a lot to offer to those who are considering moving here.

For example, Knoxville has an affordable cost of living, a great public school system, excellent weather, and affordable housing costs.

But before you make the final decision to move to Knoxville, you must also consider the cons of moving here as well.

Continue reading to learn about the full list of advantages and disadvantages of living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Pros of Living in Knoxville, TN

1. Affordable Cost of Living

Knoxville’s cost of living index score is 86 out of 100.

This means that it is mostly affordable to live in.

It has a higher than national average cost index score, which is another huge plus.

If you’re thinking about moving to Knoxville, just think about how much money you will save on transportation, groceries, healthcare, and utilities.

The savings are significant.

Housing costs in the city are also affordable, with a cost index score of 75 out of 100.

2. Excellent Public School System

The public school system in Knoxville has a grade of B+.

There are approximately 80 public schools in Knoxville, most of which have an A+ rating.

Not to mention, Farragut High School in Knoxville is ranked as the seventh-best public high school in the state of Tennessee.

So, if you have school-aged children and are considering moving here, you can feel confident knowing that they’ll receive a good education.

3. Great Weather

Knoxville is rated 7.3 out of 10 for comfort.

This number is just a little less than the national average.

All in all, you can count on having more comfortable days than uncomfortable ones, with most days having temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

While Knoxville does see some snow, it’s not enough to even consider mentioning it.

However, the city does see a lot of frequent rainfall, with most months getting about 10 days of rainfall.

4. Plenty of Outdoor Activities

If you enjoy the outdoors, you are going to enjoy living in Knoxville.

Knoxville is surrounded by both mountains and lakes.

Here is a list of activities that you can enjoy:

• Hiking
• Boating
• Camping
• Golfing
• Fishing
• Water skiing

Some outdoor locations where you may want to enjoy your favorite activity include:

• Knoxville
• Cherokee Lake
• Douglas Lake
• Big Ridge State Park
• Fort Loudoun State Historic Park
• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
• Seven Islands State Birding Park
• Norris Dam State Park

5. Many Food Options

If you’re a foodie, Knoxville has a lot to offer in that regard.

You’ll find plenty of options, ranging from food trucks to ethnic restaurants.

You’ll also find many traditional southern dishes and excellent chefs located in Knoxville.

There are many hidden gems located in the towns of Old City, Market Square, and South Knoxville.

Don’t forget to check these out as well!

6. Terrific Nightlife Scene

Knoxville is considered a college town thanks to the University of Tennessee being located right in the heart of the city.

Approximately 30,000 students attend this university each year.

For this very reason, Knoxville attracts more visitors, which calls for a great nightlife experience.

The most frequented neighborhoods have various clubs, bars, breweries, restaurants, and live music venues.

If you don’t mind the college student population in the city but thrive on nightlife, Knoxville may be ideal for you.

7. Many Job Opportunities

Knoxville is a huge part of why Tennessee has a successful economy.

There are plenty of job opportunities in Knoxville alone, and the number of job openings continues to increase.

Many people are moving here for this very reason and to start their own businesses.

In fact, there have been many recent business filings in Knox County, which have resulted in even more job openings.

Also, the unemployment rate is nearly 3% in Knoxville.

8. Lively Arts & Culture Scene

Besides the vast majority of entertainment options available in Knoxville, there’s also a vibrant arts and culture scene.

This can be seen as a huge perk for those who enjoy symphonies and festivals.

Several cultural options in Knoxville include:

• Museum of Art
• Symphony Orchestra
• Historic Tennessee Theater
• Opera

Knoxville is also a huge festival town.

Several examples of these festivals include:

• Knox Asian Festival
• Dogwood Arts Festival
• KARM Dragon Boat Festival
• Rossini Festival
• Kuumba Festival

Cons of Living in Knoxville, TN

1. Limited Public Transit

If you’re going to be using and relying on a vehicle in Knoxville, you should not experience any problems.

However, if you plan on relying on public transportation to get around the city, you may run into some challenges.

Public transportation is extremely limited in Knoxville, with very few bus routes and paratransit services available.

Stops are limited, and schedules are infrequent.

2. Low Walk Score

Due to a lack of sidewalks in Knoxville, the city has a low walk score.

However, the downtown area, including Gay Street, Old City, and the university district, is perfect for those who enjoy walking.

These are the main areas in Knoxville where exploring on foot won’t be a challenge.

If you must get between different parts of the Greater Knoxville area, a vehicle is definitely recommended.

3. High Crime Rate

Before you plan your move to Knoxville, make sure you do some research to ensure that you choose your neighborhood wisely.

Unfortunately, Knoxville has a high violent crime and property crime rate.

Both of these crime rates are much higher than the national average.

Neighborhoods such as Norris, Oak Ridge, Farragut, Seymour, and Maryville are highly regarded areas and should be considered if you’re planning on moving to Knoxville.

4. High Sales Tax Rates

Another huge disappointment about living in Knoxville is the high sales tax rate.

Knoxville’s sales tax rate is one of the highest in the United States.

The tax rate is over 9% when you combine county, state, and city sales taxes.

So, what does this mean for you?

Well, if you plan on living and shopping in Knoxville, you will be paying much more compared to other areas.

5. Tough on Allergy Sufferers

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may want to think twice about moving to Knoxville.

Knoxville is known as one of the worst cities in the country for seasonal allergies.

You will find a lot of pollen present in both the spring and summer months.

In fact, the pollen is so thick that it leaves a sticky film on anything it touches outside.

6. Harsh Summer Weather

The summers in Knoxville are extremely hot and humid.

If you don’t like humid weather, Knoxville may not be ideal for you.

The good news is that you can find relief from Knoxville’s heat by moving to the northeastern part of Tennessee, where the elevations are much higher.

If you can bear the summers in Knoxville, the weather is otherwise nice throughout the rest of the year.

7. Limited Options for Shopping

Knoxville provides many options for shopping for residents who live here.

But you won’t find many high-end brand-name stores like you would in other major metropolitan cities.

West Town Mall is located in West Knoxville, where you will find your typical department stores.

However, bigger box stores are dispersed throughout the town of Knoxville.

Overall, you will only find your typical galleries, boutiques, and specialty stores in Knoxville.

8. Chaotic Game Days

The University of Tennessee sports programs are a favorite among those who live here.

It’s no secret that residents who live here absolutely enjoy college football!

But what does this mean for those who can do without the extra chaos on game days?

Fortunately, if you are considering moving here, you will only have to deal with 7 to 8 home games per year.

This means that you should be able to manage the disturbance during these times.

Pros and Cons of Living in Knoxville, TN – Summary Table

Knoxville Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Knoxville Safety Review

Safety Index:

57

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM