Johnson City TN vs Long Beach CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.8 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 84.0% | 41.6% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 34.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $862,599 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 40.9% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Long Beach
503
Long Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Long Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Long Beach
11.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Long Beach
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Long Beach
12.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 32.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Long Beach 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 Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
Compare More Cities
Johnson City, TN vs New York, NYJohnson City, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Johnson City, TNHouston, TX vs Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN vs Phoenix, AZJohnson City, TN vs Philadelphia, PA