Johnson City TN vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 84.0% | 60.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $468,328 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 41.6% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.2 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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