CostIndexUSA

Johnson City, TN vs Lancaster, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Johnson City
87.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Johnson City is moderately cheaper than Lancaster — 11.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Johnson City, you would need $89,500 in Lancaster. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+48.4%
Johnson City
63.2
Lancaster
93.8
🛒 Groceries+4.7%
Johnson City
96.2
Lancaster
100.7
🚗 Transportation+2.7%
Johnson City
99.9
Lancaster
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+2.7%
Johnson City
90.4
Lancaster
92.8
Utilities+49.2%
Johnson City
71.9
Lancaster
107.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lancaster, PA
$89,500
$9,500 more needed in Lancaster

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 87.9) = salary × 1.1183. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Johnson City, TN

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

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Lancaster has 48.4% higher housing costs compared to Johnson City.

Income & Job Market

Johnson City, TN

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

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

70% of income left after rent (median)

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.