El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 71,455 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 4.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 3.6% | 6.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 5.6% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $55,429 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 21.1% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $294,254 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 49.8% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.2% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 21.1% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.4% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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