Knoxville TN vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 192,696 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 37.5 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 72.2% | 70.6% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 3.1% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 31.5% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $510,577 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 36.2% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.1 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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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