Johnson City TN vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 84.0% | 25.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.7% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Memphis
$59,097
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $51,211 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $32,314 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,097 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.3% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.5% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 28.2% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 46.0% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Memphis
639
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Memphis
2350
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 639 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2350 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 42.1% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 17.6% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.7% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.9% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.9% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.9 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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