Albany GA vs Johnson City TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Johnson City
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
White
Albany
18.9%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 71,455 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 4.6% | Johnson City + |
| White | 18.9% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 76.3% | 6.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $294,254 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Albany, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Albany +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 21.1% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.3% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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