CityCompare

Johnson City TN vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Johnson City
71,455
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
West Palm Beach
37.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

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About Johnson City & West Palm Beach

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