Johnson City TN vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 51,054 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 84.0% | 64.8% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $35,780 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 9.4% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 23.8% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 36.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 36.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 39.6% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.1% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.7% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.7 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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