Johnson City TN vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.5 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 84.0% | 50.9% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $36,138 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 29.9% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $484,226 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 44.0% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 30.1 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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