Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 7.0% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 20.4% | 15.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 7.5% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $50,994 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $59,097 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 20.5% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $371,202 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 46.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 639 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2350 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 22.0% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.9% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.8% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 51.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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