Johnston City is a small town of 3,377 in Illinois, with a median household income of $51,429
and a 5.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Johnston City stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Johnston City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Johnston City city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 87.2
Johnston City's overall cost of living index is 87.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Johnston City costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Johnston City, IL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$75,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$740
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
75.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$51,429
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Johnston City's violent crime rate is 189.2 per 100,000 residents
— 50% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
189.2 /100k
Property Crime
1204.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Johnston City is served primarily by Johnston City CUSD 1.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Johnston City, IL
National Avg
School District
Johnston City CUSD 1
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
23.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Johnston City sees average highs of 41.3°F in January
and 88.1°F in July,
with 45.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 9.8 inches of snow per year.
Johnston City's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Johnston City roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $75,800 and median rent is $740/month.
Johnston City's violent crime rate is 189.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1204.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Johnston City are operated by Johnston City CUSD 1.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1. 23.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Johnston City, IL has a population of 3,377, a median household income of $51,429, and an unemployment rate of 5.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Johnston City averages 41.3°F in January and 88.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.9 inches
with about 9.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Johnston City, IL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 62951.
The population of Johnston City, Illinois is 3,377 with a median age of 42.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Johnston City: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $75,800, median household income $51,429, crime index 53 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Johnston City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
