Johnson City TN vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.7 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 3.8% | Johnson City + |
| White | 84.0% | 39.9% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 3.1% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $51,090 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $32,893 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 31.5% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 40.0% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 17.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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