Johnson City TN vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Spokane
81.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 84.0% | 81.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 2.7% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 32.6% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $400,636 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.5% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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