City Comparison

Huntsville vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Huntsville

Alabama
91
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,098
Median Income

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

7.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.1%, with Johnson City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Huntsville has equivalent purchasing power to $70,055 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
79
Huntsville
66
Johnson City
Groceries
96
Huntsville
95
Johnson City
Utilities
91
Huntsville
95
Johnson City
Transportation
98
Huntsville
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
93
Huntsville
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has the same purchasing power as $70,055 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $80,294 in Huntsville.

Living in Huntsville vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Huntsville's housing index of 79 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $276,000. The $16,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Huntsville compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Huntsville and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Huntsville vs $451/month in Johnson City. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Huntsville and 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Huntsville vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Huntsville and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,098 in Huntsville and $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,646 and $65,176 respectively. Johnson City residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Huntsville vs $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Huntsville, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 7.1% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Huntsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,055 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Huntsville's housing index is 79 with median homes at $260,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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