Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 71,455 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 4.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 17.1% | 6.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 5.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $55,429 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,097 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 21.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 639 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2350 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 36.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 21.1% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.4% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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