Johnson City TN vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.0 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 84.0% | 57.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $52,671 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $34,792 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 28.9% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.9% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 21.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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