Johnson City TN vs Joliet IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.3 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 84.0% | 52.7% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $35,820 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 25.0% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.9% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.1% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 31.7 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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