Johnson City TN vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.7 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 84.0% | 63.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $52,606 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 33.4% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Johnson City, TN vs New York, NYJohnson City, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Johnson City, TNHouston, TX vs Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN vs Phoenix, AZJohnson City, TN vs Philadelphia, PA