Johnson City TN vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 84.0% | 29.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 2.9% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $1,452,609 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
San Jose
503
San Jose +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | San Jose + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 30.4 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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