Johnson City TN vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 84.0% | 69.8% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 1.6% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 31.4% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $438,754 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 41.4% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Salem, 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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