Johnson City vs Raleigh

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 $90,000 in Raleigh.

Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $62,500 in Johnson City.

Living in Johnson City vs Raleigh

Housing Costs

Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $370,000. The $94,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,108 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City vs $475/month in Raleigh. 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 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $376 in Raleigh. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City and 108 in Raleigh. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 and $65,947 respectively. Raleigh 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 $1,570/month in Raleigh. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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