Johnson City TN vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Lubbock
64.6%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.2% | Lubbock + |
| White | 84.0% | 64.6% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $34,629 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 34.9% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.4% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.6% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Lubbock
21.1 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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