City Comparison

Johnson City vs Paris

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Johnson City

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

Paris

France
112
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

24.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 24.1%, with Johnson City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to $98,824 in Paris.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
66
Johnson City
155
Paris
Groceries
95
Johnson City
98
Paris
Utilities
95
Johnson City
108
Paris
Transportation
88
Johnson City
105
Paris
Healthcare
94
Johnson City
85
Paris

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $98,824 in Paris.

Conversely, $75,000 in Paris equals $56,920 in Johnson City.

Living in Johnson City vs Paris

Housing Costs

Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower Paris's 155, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $695,000. The $419,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $1,800/mo in Paris, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 98 in Paris. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City vs $466/month in Paris. 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 108 in Paris. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $432 in Paris. 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 94 in Johnson City and 85 in Paris. 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 $55,400 in Johnson City and $48,000 in Paris. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 and $42,857 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 $1,120/month in Paris. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Paris, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 89 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 24.1% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,824 in Paris, based on the cost of living difference.
Johnson City's housing index is 66 with median homes at $276,000, while Paris's is 155 with median homes at $695,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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