Knoxville TN vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 75,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.0 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 72.2% | 48.7% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 2.2% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 6.8% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $765,686 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 45.2% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.1% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.4 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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