CostIndexUSA

Asheville, NC vs Johnson City, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Asheville
96.5
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Johnson City
87.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Johnson City is moderately cheaper than Asheville — 8.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Asheville, you would need $72,900 in Johnson City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing32.3%
Asheville
93.4
Johnson City
63.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Asheville
96.6
Johnson City
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.1%
Asheville
103.1
Johnson City
99.9
🏥 Healthcare3.1%
Asheville
93.3
Johnson City
90.4
Utilities18.8%
Asheville
88.6
Johnson City
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Johnson City, TN
$72,900
$7,100 less needed in Johnson City

Formula: salary × (87.9 ÷ 96.5) = salary × 0.9109. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Asheville, NC

Median Home Price
$413,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
93.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.7×

Johnson City, TN

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

Asheville has 32.3% lower housing costs compared to Johnson City.

Income & Job Market

Asheville, NC

Median Household Income
$67,800
Per Capita Income
$38,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
92,452
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareTechnologyArtsManufacturing

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).

Asheville, NC
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.