Knoxville TN vs Lafayette LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 121,537 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.1 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 6.6% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 59.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.1% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Knoxville +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 643 | Knoxville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2824 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.0% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 67.6°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 61.0 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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