Johnson City TN vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 84.0% | 59.3% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,405 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $694,123 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.8% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 27.9 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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