Torn between Maryville and Knoxville for your next home base? You’re not alone. Both deliver East Tennessee beauty, friendly communities, and steady value, but they live differently day to day. This guide walks you through prices, housing styles, commutes, outdoor access, schools, and the practical trade-offs so you can choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Quick market snapshot: price and value
If you want a fast apples-to-apples overview, start with typical price points. Recent vendor data shows Maryville’s 37801 area clustering around the upper 300s to low 400s for a typical home value, while Knoxville’s citywide median often lands lower on average.
- Maryville 37801: Zillow’s ZHVI places a typical home value around the upper $300ks, near about $388k as of early 2026. Different data vendors show similar ranges.
- Knoxville (city): Redfin’s citywide median sale price has recently hovered around the low $300ks, while Zillow’s city ZHVI reads higher, closer to the mid $300ks.
Why the difference? Each vendor measures something slightly different. ZHVI is a smoothed “typical value,” median sale price reflects closed deals, and median list price is what sellers ask. When it’s time to write an offer, neighborhood-level MLS comps will give you the most current ground truth.
Housing options and neighborhood feel
Maryville 37801: homes and neighborhoods
Maryville leans traditional suburban with a small-city core. You’ll see a high share of single-family homes, including ranch and two-story traditional styles in established neighborhoods, plus newer subdivisions on the edge of town. Near downtown Maryville you can find pockets of updated older homes on tree-lined streets. Lot sizes tend to be moderate, with a mix of cul-de-sac streets and connected sidewalks that support everyday living without big-city bustle.
Knoxville city: variety and vibe
Knoxville offers more variety by design. Think downtown lofts and condos near Market Square, historic districts with bungalow and Victorian architecture, and classic mid-century neighborhoods that fan out into suburban choices like Bearden and Hardin Valley. If you want a highly walkable urban spot with nightlife or a unique historic home, you’ll find more options inside Knoxville’s core and first-ring neighborhoods.
Inventory and timing
Across 2025 and into early 2026, public-market vendors noted inventory improving from the tightest pandemic period, though family-friendly neighborhoods in both cities can still move fast. Days on market and sale-to-list ratios vary by price band and zip. If timing or specific school zoning matters to you, get a recent, hyper-local MLS snapshot before you start touring.
Commute and daily travel
Drive times to jobs
From central Maryville to downtown Knoxville is roughly 18 to 21 miles, which often means a 25 to 35 minute drive off-peak. Event traffic around the University of Tennessee can stretch that. For many Oak Ridge commuters, Maryville adds time: it is roughly 30 miles and about 35 minutes one way depending on route and traffic. Use live mapping when you narrow to a specific neighborhood.
- Check the distance from Maryville to Knoxville with TravelMath: Maryville to Knoxville driving distance.
- See the Maryville to Oak Ridge estimate: Maryville to Oak Ridge distance.
Airport access
If you fly often, Maryville has a location edge. McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) sits in Alcoa/Blount County, typically about a 10 to 20 minute drive from many Maryville addresses. That is shorter than the airport drive from several Knoxville neighborhoods further north and west.
Public transit reality
Fixed-route transit between Maryville and Knoxville is limited. Knoxville Area Transit focuses on Knoxville city routes, and regional planners have noted the challenge of frequent service to outlying counties. Expect a car-centric commute for most 9 to 5 jobs. If you need a bus-based lifestyle, a Knoxville neighborhood on KAT lines may be a better fit. Learn more from this regional planning coverage: Knoxville Area Transit planning study.
Lifestyle and everyday amenities
Day-to-day convenience
Maryville combines a compact downtown with local restaurants and shops, plus the Foothills shopping corridor and major retailers close by. Healthcare is straightforward with Blount Memorial Hospital in town. Families often like the small-city pace, municipal services, and easy access to parks and greenways. Explore local community context from the district’s overview: Maryville City Schools community information.
Arts, dining, and events
Knoxville is a larger metro with more of everything: performance venues like the Tennessee Theatre and Bijou, museums, a broader restaurant scene, and frequent University-driven events. If you want a calendar full of live music, gallery nights, and festivals, the city offers more options in a tighter radius. See ideas for things to do around Knoxville: Arts and entertainment in Knoxville.
Outdoor access and weekend play
Faster Smokies gateway
If your weekend plans point toward the mountains, Maryville cuts your drive. Highway 321 puts you on the Townsend and Cades Cove side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park faster than many Knoxville neighborhoods. That means shorter trips to trailheads and scenic loops. Get inspired by the park’s popular gateway: Cades Cove in the Smokies.
Urban nature close to home
Knoxville shines for quick, in-town outdoor time. Ijams Nature Center, the Urban Wilderness trail system, and riverfront greenways create a lot of hiking, biking, and paddling options minutes from downtown. The trade-off is simple. Maryville excels for frequent Smokies access. Knoxville offers more urban-adjacent trails and waterfront without a mountain drive.
Schools, safety, and taxes
School systems at a glance
Maryville has a municipal district, Maryville City Schools, serving addresses inside city limits. The district and Maryville High School are frequently cited by families as a key factor when choosing an address. Always confirm the current attendance zone and programs directly with the district and review what matters most for your student. Start here: Maryville City Schools community information.
Knox County Schools is large and diverse, with zones that vary by neighborhood. Several well-regarded programs exist, including areas associated with Bearden and Hardin Valley. Because options vary, it pays to evaluate specific zones and school offerings for your needs.
Safety context
Citywide averages can be misleading, but they still provide context. Public trackers often show Knoxville with higher overall crime rates relative to national averages, while Maryville tends to read lower in aggregate measures. Within Knoxville, neighborhood variation is significant and many areas are widely considered safe and family friendly. For a high-level snapshot, review a public tracker like AreaVibes crime overview for Knoxville, then pair it with address-level checks and local police resources.
Property taxes and cost of living
Tennessee does not tax wages at the state level. Effective property tax rates in Blount County and Knox County are generally low compared with many states. SmartAsset’s summaries place county-level effective rates in the low 0.3 to 0.4 percent range, with total bills varying by exact city and special district layers. Run your own estimates here: Tennessee property tax calculator.
Who fits where? A quick checklist
Choose Maryville if you:
- Prefer a smaller-city or small-town feel.
- Want a municipal district inside city limits to evaluate for your student.
- Value quick access to the Smokies and a shorter airport drive.
- Accept a car commute of roughly 25 to 40 minutes for Knoxville or Oak Ridge jobs.
Choose Knoxville if you:
- Prioritize walkability, nightlife, and a larger arts scene.
- Want shorter commutes to UTK or downtown employers.
- Need more housing types, including downtown condos or historic in-town homes.
- Want in-city transit options through KAT-served neighborhoods.
For price-sensitive buyers:
- Compare specific neighborhoods rather than citywide averages. Some Knoxville areas start lower than prime Maryville neighborhoods, while Maryville can offer newer subdivisions and larger lots that compete well at similar price points. A focused MLS tour and recent comps will make the difference clear.
Ready to compare homes side by side?
Whether you are relocating or moving across town, you deserve local guidance that blends construction literacy with up-to-the-minute neighborhood data. Our team can map commutes, pull school-zone addresses to verify with districts, flag resale considerations, and line up virtual tours if you are out of state. When you are ready to narrow the list, reach out to Mandy B. Street for a tailored plan.
FAQs
What are the typical home prices in Maryville 37801 vs. Knoxville?
- Maryville’s 37801 area often reads in the upper $300ks to low $400ks for a typical home value, while Knoxville’s citywide median frequently falls in the low to mid $300ks. Figures differ by vendor and neighborhood.
How long is the commute from Maryville to downtown Knoxville?
- The drive is about 18 to 21 miles and often takes 25 to 35 minutes off-peak, longer during rush hour or UT game days. See the route on TravelMath.
Is there reliable public transit between Maryville and Knoxville?
- Fixed-route service is limited. Most commuters drive or carpool. Learn why from this regional planning report on KAT and regional transit.
Which location offers faster access to the Great Smoky Mountains?
- Maryville provides quicker drives to Townsend and Cades Cove, making frequent park visits easier. Get a feel for the area via Cades Cove.
How do property taxes compare in Blount and Knox counties?
- Both counties generally post low effective rates, roughly in the 0.3 to 0.4 percent range. Use this tool to model a specific address: Tennessee property tax calculator.
Are strong school options available in both Maryville and Knoxville?
- Yes, but they vary by zone. Maryville City Schools serves addresses inside city limits, and several Knoxville zones are widely sought after. Always confirm boundaries and programs with the district. Start with Maryville City Schools info.
