Johnson City TN vs Stockton 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 84.0% | 26.6% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $31,279 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 19.1% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $431,297 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Stockton
503
Stockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Stockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.5% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.0% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Stockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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