Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 71,455 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.1 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 4.6% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.7% | 6.3% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.0% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 5.6% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $55,429 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 21.1% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Fresno +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Fresno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Johnson City
12.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.1% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 17.4% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Fresno is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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