Johnson City TN vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.2 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 84.0% | 69.9% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $52,606 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $332,727 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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