CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Johnson City, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Johnson City
87.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Johnson City is slightly cheaper than Abilene — 2.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $77,800 in Johnson City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing14.4%
Abilene
73.8
Johnson City
63.2
🛒 Groceries+2.6%
Abilene
93.8
Johnson City
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.2%
Abilene
101.1
Johnson City
99.9
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Abilene
91.4
Johnson City
90.4
Utilities11.5%
Abilene
81.2
Johnson City
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Johnson City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Johnson City, TN
$77,800
$2,200 less needed in Johnson City

Formula: salary × (87.9 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 0.9723. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Johnson City, TN

Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
63.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.1×

Abilene has 14.4% lower housing costs compared to Johnson City.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Johnson City, TN

Median Household Income
$56,800
Per Capita Income
$32,400
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
68,006
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Johnson City, TN
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.