Johnson City TN vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.0 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 84.0% | 50.4% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 5.7% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $1,006,261 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 47.6% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.9 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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