Knoxville TN vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 112,546 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 33.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 72.2% | 56.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $29,894 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 8.1% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 29.6% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 39.9% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville 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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