salaryRent is lower than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $54,200 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Tennessee cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Tennessee. It is number 63 of 114 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Johnson City?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Johnson City
| Size | Johnson City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $936 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $838 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,131 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,259 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,264 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Johnson City overall?
Everyday prices in the Johnson City metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Johnson City
Life in Johnson City
What jobs pay in Johnson City
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $128,580 | 12.6% |
| Lawyer | $117,390 | 13.9% |
| Software Developer | $103,320 | 15.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $102,430 | 15.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $100,060 | 16.3% |
| Operations Manager | $93,200 | 17.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $82,470 | 19.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,070 | 20.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $77,660 | 20.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $72,000 | 22.6% |
| Accountant | $64,710 | 25.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,330 | 26.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $58,760 | 27.7% |
| Electrician | $52,190 | 31.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $51,480 | 31.6% |
| Plumber | $48,480 | 33.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,010 | 33.9% |
| Carpenter | $47,920 | 33.9% |
| Truck Driver | $47,670 | 34.1% |
| Police Officer | $46,560 | 34.9% |
| Firefighter | $40,720 | 39.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,740 | 43.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,310 | 43.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,570 | 44.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $35,930 | 45.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,620 | 47.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,820 | 54.5% |
| Cashier | $27,160 | 59.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,070 | 73.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Johnson City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $506 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $268,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,820 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Johnson City, TN?
Renting in Johnson City costs a median of about $1,355 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Tennessee median is $1,279.
How much do I need to make to live in Johnson City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $54,200 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Johnson City cheap or expensive?
Johnson City is rated OK: rent takes 26.3% of the typical household income of $61,748. It ranks 63rd cheapest of 114 Tennessee cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Johnson City?
The median homeowner in Johnson City pays $1,748 a year in property taxes, about 0.65% of the median home value.
Is Johnson City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Johnson City?
The median home value in Johnson City is $268,200, about 4.3 times the typical yearly household income.
72,222 people live in Johnson City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.