Johnson County's composite score of 81.6 is the best among all eight Tennessee counties reviewed and ranks 31.6 points above the national median of 50.0. This exceptional performance makes it one of the most livable counties nationally on measured dimensions.
2 / 5
Clear leader among Tennessee counties
Johnson County's 81.6 score significantly exceeds Tennessee's state average of 76.3 by 5.3 points, marking it the top performer statewide in this survey.
3 / 5
Unmatched tax and housing affordability
Johnson County leads with a tax score of 91.5 and the lowest effective tax rate of just 0.384%, paired with the nation's second-lowest cost score of 90.2 and median rent of $639/month. These dual affordability achievements are unrivaled in the survey.
4 / 5
Income levels lag despite affordability
The income score of 17.4 reflects a median household income of $52,152, among the lowest in the group. Critical dimensions including safety, health, and schools remain unmeasured.
5 / 5
Best value for ultra-budget households
Johnson County is unmatched for households seeking the lowest possible taxes, rent, and housing costs in a stable county environment. It excels as an affordability haven but does not offer above-average income opportunities.
Johnson County's composite score of 81.6 is the best among all eight Tennessee counties reviewed and ranks 31.6 points above the national median of 50.0. This exceptional performance makes it one of the most livable counties nationally on measured dimensions.
Clear leader among Tennessee counties
Johnson County's 81.6 score significantly exceeds Tennessee's state average of 76.3 by 5.3 points, marking it the top performer statewide in this survey.
Unmatched tax and housing affordability
Johnson County leads with a tax score of 91.5 and the lowest effective tax rate of just 0.384%, paired with the nation's second-lowest cost score of 90.2 and median rent of $639/month. These dual affordability achievements are unrivaled in the survey.
Income levels lag despite affordability
The income score of 17.4 reflects a median household income of $52,152, among the lowest in the group. Critical dimensions including safety, health, and schools remain unmeasured.
Best value for ultra-budget households
Johnson County is unmatched for households seeking the lowest possible taxes, rent, and housing costs in a stable county environment. It excels as an affordability haven but does not offer above-average income opportunities.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛91.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Johnson County's 0.384% effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 5% of all U.S. counties—among the lowest in the nation. Homeowners pay just $673 annually, less than one-quarter the national median of $2,690.
Tennessee's lowest effective rate
At 0.384%, Johnson County has the lowest effective tax rate among Tennessee's 95 counties, well below the state average of 0.511%. The median tax of $673 is $343 below the state median of $1,016.
Dramatically lower than neighbors
Johnson County's 0.384% rate is substantially lower than all nearby counties: Jackson (0.496%), Humphreys (0.479%), Houston (0.574%), and Hickman (0.567%). This Appalachian county stands out for exceptionally light property tax burdens.
What your $175,500 home costs
The typical Johnson County homeowner pays only $673 annually on a median-valued property. Whether mortgaged or owned outright, the annual tax bill hovers around $671–$674.
Even low taxes deserve review
Johnson County residents should still verify their property assessments for accuracy. A free appeal can ensure you're not overpaying, even in one of Tennessee's lowest-tax counties.
Johnson County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks among America's most affordable rental markets, with median rent of $639/month and median household income of $52,152. Renters here enjoy a cost burden well below national norms, freeing income for other essential expenses.
Tennessee's second-most affordable county
Johnson County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio trails only Houston County (15.1%) in Tennessee affordability rankings, sitting 3 percentage points below the state average of 17.6%. The $639 median rent is the lowest in the region, matching the county's reputation for extreme affordability.
Lowest rent in the entire peer group
Johnson's $639 median rent undercuts every neighbor—$46 below Houston, $191 below Humphreys, and $165 below Hickman—while its 14.7% ratio ranks second-best regionally. This ultra-affordable profile makes Johnson the go-to destination for rent-focused relocators.
Renters and owners both enjoy low costs
Renters in Johnson allocate just 14.7% of the $52,152 median income to $639/month rent, while homeowners invest 10.4% in monthly ownership costs ($453/month). The $175,500 median home value requires just 3.4 years of gross income, among the region's most accessible purchase prices.
Johnson delivers unbeatable Tennessee rent deals
Moving to Johnson County means the lowest rent in your region and the second-best affordability ratio in Tennessee. If housing costs are your priority and you can access employment elsewhere, Johnson offers unmatched savings on $639/month rent.
Johnson County's median household income of $52,152 falls 30.3% short of the U.S. median of $74,755. This gap underscores limited job markets and lower wage scales typical of Appalachian rural counties.
Below state average by $6,842
At $52,152, Johnson County ranks in the lower 40% of Tennessee counties, trailing the state average of $58,994. Per capita income of $28,786 also lags the state's $31,458 average.
Mid-range income among mountain counties
Johnson's $52,152 sits between stronger performers like Jefferson ($63,084) and Humphreys ($59,333), but exceeds struggling Jackson County ($41,475). The variation reflects differences in industrial base and population retention.
Rent remains manageable in Johnson
Johnson County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio is among the best statewide, with renters spending just under one-seventh of earnings on housing. The median home value of $175,500 is comparatively affordable given local incomes.
Build on housing affordability advantage
Johnson County residents benefit from low housing costs, which frees income for emergency savings and retirement planning. Starting early with even modest investments in high-yield savings accounts or index funds can compound significantly by retirement.
Johnson County residents have a life expectancy of 72.3 years, just 2.2 years below the national average of 74.5 years. Nearly one in four residents (23.2%) report poor or fair health, compared to 17.8% nationally. Johnson's outcomes are closer to national norms than many county peers.
Johnson ranks 35th among Tennessee counties
At 72.3 years, Johnson County's life expectancy nearly matches Tennessee's 72.4-year state average, placing it close to the middle of county rankings. The county's 23.2% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average by 5.1 percentage points, suggesting room for improvement. Johnson sits in the middle tier statewide.
Moderate health profile with solid care access
Johnson County's 72.3-year life expectancy falls between regional extremes, slightly below Jefferson (72.9 years) but above Houston (70.9 years). With 33 primary care providers per 100K, Johnson has better access than Hickman and Humphreys, though less than Jefferson's 45. Its 13.3% uninsured rate matches Hickman's, placing it mid-range regionally.
Good provider access, moderate insurance gaps
One in eight Johnson County residents (13.3%) lack health insurance, limiting access to preventive care for thousands. The county's 33 primary care providers per 100K is respectable, offering reasonable access compared to regional peers. Mental health capacity at 87 per 100K supports behavioral health needs adequately.
Find coverage that works for your situation
If you're among the 13.3% of uninsured Johnson County residents, affordable plans are within reach. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to check Marketplace plans and Medicaid eligibility—coverage is often cheaper than you expect. Getting insured means getting preventive care when you need it.
Johnson County's composite risk score of 28.18 places it in the very low category, well below Tennessee's state average of 52.45. This favorable rating reflects relatively low exposure to most major natural hazards compared to national and regional peers.
Among lowest-risk Tennessee counties
With a score of 28.18, Johnson County ranks among Tennessee's safest counties for natural disaster exposure. The county sits substantially below the state average of 52.45, offering residents markedly better protection than most statewide peers.
Safer than Jackson and Hickman
Johnson County (28.18) outperforms both Jackson County (22.52) and Hickman County (47.17) in composite risk, though Jackson technically scores lower overall. Johnson's uniqueness lies in elevated wildfire risk (54.87) and hurricane exposure (51.15), considerably higher than neighbors.
Wildfire and hurricane threats peak
Johnson County faces exceptional wildfire risk at 54.87 and hurricane risk at 51.15—both substantially above state and national averages and representing the county's primary hazards. Flood risk (47.17) remains moderate, while earthquake and tornado risks stay relatively low.
Emphasize wildfire and wind coverage
Johnson County homeowners should prioritize wildfire and hurricane wind coverage in their policies, given the county's 54.87 wildfire score and 51.15 hurricane risk. Creating defensible space around homes and updating roofing materials offers practical protection against these elevated threats.