Johnson City TN vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 84.0% | 44.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $28,059 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 20.2% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Kansas City
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.6% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.4% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.3% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.7 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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