Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Johnson City
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 71,455 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 4.6% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 76.8% | 6.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 5.6% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $294,254 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 639 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2350 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.9% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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