Johnson City TN vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lee's Summit
102,583
Lee's Summit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Lee's Summit +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 102,583 | Lee's Summit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.6 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 4.2% | Johnson City + |
| White | 84.0% | 78.7% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 10.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.9% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 5.3% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $313,200 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.5% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.9 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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