CostIndexUSA

Gainesville, FL vs Johnson City, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Gainesville
96.7
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Johnson City
87.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Johnson City is moderately cheaper than Gainesville — 9.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Gainesville, you would need $72,700 in Johnson City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing32.0%
Gainesville
93
Johnson City
63.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Gainesville
96.2
Johnson City
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.8%
Gainesville
103.8
Johnson City
99.9
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Gainesville
93.9
Johnson City
90.4
Utilities18.5%
Gainesville
88.2
Johnson City
71.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Johnson City, TN
$72,700
$7,300 less needed in Johnson City

Formula: salary × (87.9 ÷ 96.7) = salary × 0.9090. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Gainesville, FL

Median Home Price
$294,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
93
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Johnson City, TN

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

Gainesville has 32.0% lower housing costs compared to Johnson City.

Income & Job Market

Gainesville, FL

Median Household Income
$59,300
Per Capita Income
$33,800
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
140,003
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyGovernmentResearch

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).

Gainesville, FL
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.