Knoxville TN vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 81,679 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 36.2 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 4.7% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 47.3% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 4.7% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 23.2% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 29.4% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lake Charles, 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%
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 45.6% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.0% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 62.4 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lake Charles, 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lake Charles 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%.
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