Brentwood, TN vs Johnson City, TN

The cost of living difference between Brentwood, TN and Johnson City, TN is dramatic. Johnson City is 133.6% cheaper than Brentwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brentwood has a cost index of 186 while Johnson City sits at 79, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Brentwood is $2,497/month compared to $957/month in Johnson City — a 161% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Johnson City is more affordable at $238,000 median vs $926,700.

Median household income in Brentwood is $184,720 compared to $55,429 in Johnson City (+233.3%). While Brentwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brentwood spend roughly 16.2% of their income on rent, less than the 20.7% in Johnson City.