Knoxville TN vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 72.2% | 59.4% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 10.5% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.3% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 33.5% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $496,966 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 37.3% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 31.1 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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