Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Independence
72.2%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 71,455 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.6% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.3% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 5.6% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $55,429 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 21.1% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $294,254 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 49.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 639 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2350 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 21.1% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.9% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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