Johnson City TN vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 84.0% | 58.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $35,825 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 34.1% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $435,532 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 42.4% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 27.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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