Johnson City

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Johnson City, TN

Area Guide

A thriving city in the beautiful East Tennessee mountains

Nature Outdoors Scenic Schools Affordable College Medical Healthcare

Johnson City, located in northeastern Tennessee's Appalachian Mountains, combines small-city living with outdoor adventure. Home to East Tennessee State University (ETSU), this community of over 71,000 residents offers easy access to natural attractions like Buffalo Mountain Park and the Watauga River. The rental market remains steady, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $996, two-bedroom units at $1,197, and three-bedroom homes at $1,655.

The city has evolved from its railroad heritage into a healthcare and education center, anchored by Johnson City Medical Center and ETSU's medical programs. Downtown features Founders Park, a central gathering space that hosts a seasonal farmers market and community events throughout the year. Notable areas include the Tree Streets neighborhood, characterized by historic craftsman architecture, and the developing North Johnson City area. The Tweetsie Trail provides opportunities for hiking and cycling, while downtown continues to grow with local shops, restaurants, and an expanding arts scene.

Explore the City

Murals fill downtown Johnson City and make for a welcoming and colorful atmosphere.

The Tweetsie Trail is a favorite of Johnson City residents.

The streets of this Johnson City subdivision are nice and clean.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Johnson City, TN is $630 for a studio, $1,005 for one bedroom, $1,234 for two bedrooms, and $1,719 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Johnson City has increased by 1.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,005/month
667 Sq Ft
House
$1,786/month
1,458 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,870/month
1,428 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,363/month
957 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Johnson City, TN

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Johnson City, TN is 2.7% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Johnson City is 2.3% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $630 - $1,722. You can expect to pay 5.2% less for groceries, 9.3% less for utilities, and 14.3% less for transportation.

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Transportation

41

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

27

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Lake Ridge Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

627 Students

University School

Public

Grades K-12

597 Students

Woodland Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

522 Students

Happy Valley Elementary

Public

Grades PK-4

529 Students

Towne Acres Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

440 Students

University School

Public

Grades K-12

597 Students

Liberty Bell Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

898 Students

Indian Trail Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

808 Students

Central Elementary

Public

Grades PK-8

286 Students

Tennessee Virtual Learning Academy

Public

Grades 3-12

65 Students

University School

Public

Grades K-12

597 Students

Science Hill High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,401 Students

Tennessee Virtual Learning Academy

Public

Grades 3-12

65 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Hands On! Museum
  • East Tennessee State University Planetarium
  • ETSU Arboretum
  • Rocky Mount Living Musem
  • Tipton-Hayden State Historic Site

Airports

  • Tri-Cities

Top Apartments in Johnson City

Houses for Rent in Johnson City

Property Management Companies in Johnson City, TN

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.