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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Johnson City, TN vs Chattanooga, TN

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Johnson City spends 22.8% more per capita than Chattanooga ($5,509/person difference). Chattanooga, TN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 78/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Johnson City, TN
Pop. 70,720
F
23/100
Budget Balance10
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Chattanooga, TN
Pop. 181,288
B
78/100
Budget Balance90
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency37
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Johnson City
Chattanooga
Total Spending
$2.1B
$4.4B
Spending / Capita
$29,659
$24,150
Total Revenue
$1.5B
$7.0B
Revenue / Capita
$21,169
$38,387
Total Debt
$113.8M
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,609
$0
Population
70,720
181,288
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Johnson City$304
Chattanooga$1,061
Highways & Roads
Johnson City$192
Chattanooga$212
Parks & Recreation
Johnson City$1,227
Chattanooga$1,596
Education
Johnson City$14,043
Chattanooga$0
Health
Johnson City$322
Chattanooga$436

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Johnson CityChattanooga
Sales Tax
$228
$82
Income Tax
$2,303
$301
Intergovernmental
$21,169
$597
Charges & Fees
$3,131
$0
Other
$3,770
$13,286

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Johnson CityChattanooga
Fire Protection
$304
$1,061
Highways & Roads
$192
$212
Education
$14,043
$0
Public Welfare
$2,007
$895
Health
$322
$436
Hospitals
$92
$697
Parks & Recreation
$1,227
$1,596
Housing
$2,442
$4,908
Sewerage
$0
$175
Utilities
$3,744
$1,629
Interest on Debt
$628
$2,068
Other
$4,657
$10,474
F
Johnson City, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 23/100
Critical fiscal distress
B
Chattanooga, TN
Fiscal Health Score: 78/100
Good fiscal health

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