Johnson City TN vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.7 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 4.5% | Johnson City + |
| White | 84.0% | 70.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 3.4% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 35.1% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.1% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 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
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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