Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Johnson City
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 71,455 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 46.7% | 6.3% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.0% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 5.6% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $55,429 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 21.1% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $294,254 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 49.8% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.1% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.4% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus 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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