Johnson City TN vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.6 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 84.0% | 70.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 5.8% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $538,687 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.7% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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