Johnson City TN vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 84.0% | 53.8% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $435,807 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Raleigh
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.1 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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