Johnson City TN vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.6 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 84.0% | 48.7% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $35,074 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 37.2% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $419,326 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.5% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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