Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Gresham +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 71,455 | Gresham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 4.6% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.0% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 5.6% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $55,429 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,097 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 49.8% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 639 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2350 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Gresham +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.9% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.4% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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