Johnson City TN vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 84.0% | 53.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 4.4% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 39.3% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $802,780 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Santa Clarita
503
Santa Clarita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Santa Clarita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 37.4 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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