Johnson City TN vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 84.0% | 63.7% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 4.2% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 47.2% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.0 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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).
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