Johnson City TN vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 84.0% | 36.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.4% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.0% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 34.6% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 34.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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