Johnson City TN vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 84.0% | 70.6% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 3.1% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 31.5% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $510,577 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3409 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Vancouver
36.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.1 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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