Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Flint +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
White
Flint
34.4%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 71,455 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 4.6% | Johnson City + |
| White | 34.4% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 56.6% | 6.3% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $294,254 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 49.8% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Flint, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 639 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2350 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.9% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint 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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