Johnson City TN vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 41.6 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 84.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 4.8% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 31.0% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $422,520 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 32.8 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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