Johnson City TN vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 84.0% | 44.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 32.7% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $310,519 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 45.7% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 39.9% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.4 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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