Johnson City TN vs Schenectady 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 28,542 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 42.3 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 84.0% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 6.3% | 3.1% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 4.7% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $321,835 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 38.6% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Schenectady, 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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