Knoxville TN vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lee's Summit +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 102,583 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.6 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 4.2% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 15.7% | 10.2% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 5.3% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.5% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.9 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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