Johnson City TN vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 84.0% | 35.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $29,766 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.1% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 20.1% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $466,147 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.0 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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