Johnson City TN vs Pomona 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%
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 148,391 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.4 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 84.0% | 22.7% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 5.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $28,131 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.3% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 19.5% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $689,570 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Pomona
503
Pomona +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Pomona + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Pomona
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Pomona
17.7%
Pomona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Pomona
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.7% | Pomona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.5% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Pomona
17.2 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 34.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Pomona 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 Pomona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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