Johnson City TN vs Savannah 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Savannah
7.1%
Savannah +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 84.0% | 37.2% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 7.1% | Savannah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $32,004 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $57,405 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 32.0% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $326,132 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 44.4% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.6% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.8% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Savannah, 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 +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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