Johnson City TN vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 84.0% | 36.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $51,888 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $29,679 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 23.3% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 26.6% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 41.5% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.1% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Johnson City +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.1 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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