Johnson City vs Memphis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Johnson City
Memphis
The Verdict
Memphis is 1.2% less expensive than Johnson City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Johnson City would need approximately $74,118 in Memphis to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $74,118 in Memphis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $75,893 in Johnson City.
Living in Johnson City vs Memphis
Housing Costs
Johnson City's housing index of 66 is higher Memphis's 63, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $155,000. The $121,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $1,000/mo in Memphis, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 93 in Memphis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City vs $442/month in Memphis. 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 95 in Johnson City and 88 in Memphis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $352 in Memphis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City and 92 in Memphis. 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 $55,400 in Johnson City and $41,228 in Memphis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 and $49,081 respectively. Johnson City residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $962/month in Memphis. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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