Johnson City TN vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 48.4 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 84.0% | 74.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $36,322 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 26.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $312,001 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 38.9% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.3% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.4% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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