Johnson City TN vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.4 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 84.0% | 31.6% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $55,339 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.8% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.6% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Johnson City +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 643 | Johnson City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2824 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.1% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Johnson City is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
Compare More Cities
Johnson City, TN vs New York, NYJohnson City, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Johnson City, TNHouston, TX vs Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN vs Phoenix, AZJohnson City, TN vs Philadelphia, PA