Johnson City TN vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 84.0% | 31.9% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 2.1% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $720,443 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 41.2% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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