Johnson City TN vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Johnson City
71,455
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 84.0% | 36.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $26,955 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 11.6% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 12.4% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $397,983 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Visalia
503
Visalia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Visalia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.8% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 41.6 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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