Johnson City TN vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.0 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 84.0% | 76.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 1.4% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $575,076 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Lakewood
512
Lakewood +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 512 | Lakewood + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3234 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 28.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Lakewood is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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