Johnson City TN vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.3 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 84.0% | 59.2% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $34,474 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 22.6% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $304,173 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.5% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.2% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 29.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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