Chattanooga TN 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)
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 71,455 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 4.6% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 28.6% | 6.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
$36,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Johnson City
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $55,429 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $36,451 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 21.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 49.8% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Johnson City
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Johnson City
2350
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 21.1% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.3 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Johnson City is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA