Johnson City TN vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Provo
78.6%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 84.0% | 78.6% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 1.1% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $26,755 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.3% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $486,127 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 39.9% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 21.5% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 19.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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