Knoxville TN vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Westland
63.7%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 84,155 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.2 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.7% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 5.0% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.3% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 21.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Westland
20.0%
Westland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 20.0% | Westland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Westland, MI | 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
Knoxville +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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