Johnson City TN vs New York 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
New York
35.9%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.0 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 84.0% | 35.9% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 41.0% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $816,078 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 32.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 44.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, New York 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 New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Johnson 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, PAJohnson City, TN vs San Antonio, TX