Johnson City TN vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 84.0% | 59.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 40.6% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Johnson City +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 643 | Johnson City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2824 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.8% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lafayette, LA | 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 +
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 21.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Johnson City is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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