Johnson City TN vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 39.7 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 84.0% | 40.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 5.1% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $1,369,171 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 38.5% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.6% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.9 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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