Knoxville TN vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 82,506 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 48.4 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 72.2% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 15.7% | 8.8% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 26.8% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 38.9% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.3% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.4% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 72.6°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 54.8 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.6 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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