Johnson City TN vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 84.0% | 54.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $51,468 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $28,819 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 24.0% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 28.6% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 48.9% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.8% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 20.4% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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