Johnson City TN vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 84.0% | 40.7% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 34.7% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $429,449 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 41.2% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.6% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 27.4 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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