Asheville NC vs Johnson City TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
84.0%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 71,455 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 84.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
$36,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
41.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,429 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,451 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 41.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 36.2% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.7% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 21.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.9% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.4% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Johnson City
20.3 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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