Knoxville TN vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.9 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 72.2% | 39.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.5% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $580,173 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 41.1% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 24.0% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 32.8 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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