Johnson City TN vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Palmdale
69.3%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 44,998 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 57.8 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 84.0% | 69.3% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 5.4% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.2% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $503,393 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.8% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.7% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Palmdale
7.4 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.1 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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