Johnson City TN vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.5 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 84.0% | 45.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 39.1% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.6% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 32.1% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pasadena, TX | 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
Johnson City +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 36.1 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Johnson City, TN vs New York, NYJohnson City, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Johnson City, TNHouston, TX vs Johnson City, TNJohnson City, TN vs Phoenix, AZJohnson City, TN vs Philadelphia, PA