Johnson City TN vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Knoxville
72.2%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 84.0% | 72.2% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Knoxville
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $50,994 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $33,171 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 33.7% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $371,202 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 46.6% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Knoxville
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Knoxville
2350
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 22.0% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.8% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.0 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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