Johnson City TN vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.5 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 84.0% | 57.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,929 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 33.3% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2375 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 37.5% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.8% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.4% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Johnson City, TN vs New York, NYJohnson City, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Johnson City, TNHouston, TX vs Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN vs Phoenix, AZJohnson City, TN vs Philadelphia, PA