Knoxville TN vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 156,309 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.0 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 72.2% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 15.7% | 1.4% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $575,076 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Lakewood
512
Lakewood +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 512 | Lakewood + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3234 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.7% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.6 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Lakewood is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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