Jackson MS 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)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 71,455 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.1 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 4.6% | Johnson City + |
| White | 14.5% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 81.8% | 6.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $294,254 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 639 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2350 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.1% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 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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