Johnson City TN vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 84.0% | 54.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.7% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $52,512 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $29,511 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,697 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.6% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 29.4% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
South Bend
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 39.7% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.2% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.2% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 21.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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