Johnson City TN vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 84.0% | 80.9% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 4.2% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 40.9% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.6% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 29.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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