Jackson, TN vs Johnson City, TN

Jackson, TN and Johnson City, TN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Jackson scores 80 while Johnson City scores 79 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Jackson is $1,094/month compared to $957/month in Johnson City — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Johnson City has cheaper rent, Jackson actually has lower median home values ($195,000 vs $238,000).

Median household income in Jackson is $51,552 compared to $55,429 in Johnson City (-7%). Johnson City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Jackson spend roughly 25.5% of their income on rent, more than the 20.7% in Johnson City.