Johnson City TN vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.6 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 84.0% | 45.7% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 5.1% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $55,279 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 40.2% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 45.4% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.8% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.2% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.9% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | St. Louis, MO | 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
Johnson City +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | St. Louis, 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
Johnson City +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.0 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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