Johnson City TN vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 84.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $527,542 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 37.5% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.1% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 28.6% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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