Johnson City TN vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 84.0% | 16.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.9% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $48,416 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $25,509 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 10.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 24.7% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $482,675 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 24.1% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.6% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 23.4% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.2% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 35.9 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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