Johnson City TN vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 3.8% | Johnson City + |
| White | 84.0% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 6.3% | 4.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.7% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $45,984 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $30,864 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 30.3% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 42.9% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 37.7% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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