Johnson City TN vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 84.0% | 49.6% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 5.2% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $48,536 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $31,324 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 23.8% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 38.1% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 45.1% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 42.6% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 21.3% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tuscaloosa 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%.
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