Johnson City TN vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 84.0% | 69.7% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 4.4% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 31.5% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $435,670 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.1% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.7 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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