Johnson City TN vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Mount Vernon
72,528
Mount Vernon +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 72,528 | Mount Vernon + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.9 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 84.0% | 16.2% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 35.0% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $579,771 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 42.1% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.6% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 38.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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