City Comparison

Johnson City vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Johnson City

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

2.3%

Living in Johnson City costs 2.3% less than Springdale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Johnson City, you would need $76,765 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
66
Johnson City
86
Springdale
Groceries
95
Johnson City
97
Springdale
Utilities
95
Johnson City
93
Springdale
Transportation
88
Johnson City
91
Springdale
Healthcare
94
Johnson City
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $76,765 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $73,276 in Johnson City.

Living in Johnson City vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $299,000. The $23,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,500 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 Springdale, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 2.3% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,765 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Johnson City's housing index is 66 with median homes at $276,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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