City Comparison

Johnson City vs Pearland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Johnson City

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

Pearland

Texas
100
Average
$372,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$118,800
Median Income

The Verdict

15.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.0%, with Johnson City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to $88,235 in Pearland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
66
Johnson City
99
Pearland
Groceries
95
Johnson City
97
Pearland
Utilities
95
Johnson City
100
Pearland
Transportation
88
Johnson City
91
Pearland
Healthcare
94
Johnson City
105
Pearland

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $88,235 in Pearland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pearland equals $63,750 in Johnson City.

Living in Johnson City vs Pearland

Housing Costs

Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower Pearland's 99, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $372,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 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 Pearland, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 97 in Pearland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City vs $461/month in Pearland. 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 100 in Pearland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $400 in Pearland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City and 105 in Pearland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $118,800 in Pearland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 and $118,800 respectively. Pearland residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $2,772/month in Pearland. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Pearland, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 15.0% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,235 in Pearland, based on the cost of living difference.
Johnson City's housing index is 66 with median homes at $276,000, while Pearland's is 99 with median homes at $372,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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