Johnson City TN vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 81,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.2 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 84.0% | 47.3% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 4.7% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $35,847 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 23.2% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 29.4% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lake Charles, 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%
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 45.6% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.2% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.0% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lake Charles, 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Johnson City is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles 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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