Johnson City TN vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.4 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 84.0% | 61.6% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 40.4% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $427,121 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.5% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.0 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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