Johnson City TN vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Sunnyvale
35.1
Tie
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.1 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 84.0% | 30.4% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 1.5% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $2,144,024 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 43.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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