Johnson City TN vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.5 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 84.0% | 78.9% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 2.4% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 31.2% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $309,742 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 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 +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 27.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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