Johnson City TN vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Orem
86,973
Orem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Orem
77.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 86,973 | Orem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 84.0% | 77.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 1.9% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.6% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $33,579 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 25.6% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $509,396 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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