Johnson City TN vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.2 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 5.5% | Montgomery + |
| White | 84.0% | 27.7% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 4.8% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $32,068 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 33.5% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 46.4% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.0 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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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