Knoxville TN vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 126,103 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.2 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 5.3% | Knoxville + |
| White | 72.2% | 71.0% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 9.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.9% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 29.1% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 39.7% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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