City Comparison

Irving vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Johnson City

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

The Verdict

17.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.6%, with Johnson City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $63,750 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Irving
66
Johnson City
Groceries
99
Irving
95
Johnson City
Utilities
111
Irving
95
Johnson City
Transportation
97
Irving
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
103
Irving
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $63,750 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $88,235 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $276,000. The $42,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,736 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $380 in Johnson City. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $65,176 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 17.6% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,750 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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