Johnson City TN vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 84.0% | 39.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $35,740 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $54,550 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 28.0% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $313,219 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 48.5% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.2% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.8% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.8 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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