Johnson City TN vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.4 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 84.0% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 6.3% | 1.6% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,074 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $534,732 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.6% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Meridian, ID | 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.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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