Johnson City TN vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 68,505 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 84.0% | 80.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 3.1% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $561,069 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 46.7% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 21.4 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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