Johnson City TN vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Kent
84,389
Kent +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 84,389 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.8 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 84.0% | 67.2% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 2.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.9% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $35,662 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 27.0% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $657,911 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.0 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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