Kirkland WA 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)
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
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
Kirkland
57,088
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kirkland
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Kirkland
37.7
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Kirkland
66.8%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Kirkland
6.1%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Kirkland
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,088 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 7.0% | Kirkland + |
| White | 66.8% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 6.1% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 1.6% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.5% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Kirkland
5.1%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kirkland
32.2%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,277 | $50,994 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,024 | $33,171 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,097 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 20.5% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,274,801 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% | 46.6% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kirkland
3409
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 639 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2350 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
18.1%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 36.0% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 12.6% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 22.0% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 12.9% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 17.8% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kirkland
N/A
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kirkland
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kirkland
28.2 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Kirkland, WA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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