2025 rankings highlight the U.S. cities doing the best job of meeting critical needs
Knoxville, Tennessee has been ranked as the best city in the nation for people with disabilities, according to a new comprehensive 2025 analysis conducted by Trajector Medical, a leading provider of medical evidence services. The recognition highlights Knoxville’s commitment to accessibility and affordability alongside the availability of healthcare for residents with disabilities.
Knoxville earned the highest relative score (100) in Trajector Medical’s evaluation of 141 major U.S. cities.
The city’s #1 ranking is attributed, in part, to:
Healthcare Access:
- Knoxville ranks ninth best for availability of health care. The city has the:
- Sixth highest number of healthcare providers at Medicare-registered hospitals per 10,000 people with disabilities (988.17).
- 13th highest number of Medicare-registered hospitals per 100,000 people with disabilities (22.05).
Economic Opportunity:
- Knoxville residents with disabilities also have the 13th highest median earnings compared to those without disabilities ($4,585 less).
Knoxville’s achievement reflects a citywide commitment to removing barriers, fostering independence for people with disabilities and serve as a model for communities nationwide.
Trajector Medical’s 30 Best Cities For People With Disabilities
Hover over each location to see a city’s overall rank and additional data. City ranking is determined by 14 metrics spanning three key categories: accessibility, affordability, and health care.
Knoxville’s achievement reflects a citywide commitment to removing barriers, fostering independence for people with disabilities and serve as a model for communities nationwide.
Please go to https://www.trajectormedical.com/best-cities-for-people-with-disabilities/ for more information.
Note: To determine which cities are the best for people with disabilities, Trajector Medical examined data for the 150 most populated cities, 141 of which had available data.
Data Sources: The U.S. Census Bureau, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, The Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Zillow.
Why It Matters
Nearly one in seven Americans (13.6%) has a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, access to essential services, affordable housing, and employment opportunities varies widely. Trajector Medical’s study highlights this disparity but also underscores the crucial role of inclusive city planning and technology adoption in bridging this gap and supporting Americans with disabilities.
“Our mission has always been to empower people with disabilities who face barriers,” said Paige Polakow, president of Trajector Medical. “This research is another way we’ve fulfilled our promise for more than a decade to improve the life trajectory of those who are underserved or at risk.”
Methodology
Trajector Medical evaluated 141 U.S. cities using 14 metrics across accessibility, affordability, and health care—analyzing nearly 2,000 data points. Example metrics include the percentage of accessible buildings, affordable housing costs, and Medicare-registered hospitals per 100,000 people with disabilities. Data sources included the U.S. Census Bureau, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Zillow.
About Trajector Medical
Trajector Medical is a leading provider of medical evidence services for people with disabilities and is based in Gainesville, Florida. Founded in 2014, its licensed medical professionals help individuals gather the medical evidence they need to secure the disability benefits they medically, legally, and ethically qualify for.
To access the full rankings and methodology, visit Trajector Medical’s website https://www.trajectormedical.com/best-cities-for-people-with-disabilities/.
