Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 71,455 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 4.6% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 38.7% | 6.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
$36,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $36,451 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $294,254 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 639 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2350 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 21.1% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.4% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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