Independence MO vs Knoxville TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Independence
72.2%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 10.8% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.6% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 7.5% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $50,994 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 20.5% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $371,202 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 46.6% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 639 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2350 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 22.0% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.8% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 57.8°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 51.9 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
Compare More Cities
Independence, MO vs New York, NYIndependence, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Independence, MOHouston, TX vs Independence, MOIndependence, MO vs Phoenix, AZIndependence, MO vs Philadelphia, PA