| Index | Bristol | Tennessee | National |
| Cost of living | 91 | 92 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 76 | 80 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 97 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Bristol can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Bristol cost of living index is 91, which is 9% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
In Bristol, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Bristol will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 6 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Bristol. The results indicated that 83% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 17% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Bristol an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Bristol, the median home price is 23.5% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 25.9% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Bristol come in at $61,633, which is 24.2% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Bristol, the transportation index is 2.9% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Bristol starts at 7% and the income tax rates start at 0%.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Bristol, the utilities index registers at 1.2% lower than the national average.
The Bristol cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $78,814 | $6,568 | $1,839 | $2,365 |
| Renters | $41,287 | $3,441 | $963 | $1,239 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Tennessee | 7% | 9.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Tennessee | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bluff City, TN | 2,140 | 87 | 12.9% |
| Nickelsville, VA | 368 | 90 | 10.3% |
| Bristol, VA | 17,459 | 90 | 10.2% |
| Walnut Hill, TN | 2,594 | 91 | 9.4% |
| Oak Grove CDP (Sumner County), TN | 221 | 90 | 9.8% |
| Bristol, TN | 27,756 | 91 | 8.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Ramsey, MN | 27,748 | 115 | 15.4% |
| Dodge City, KS | 27,746 | 87 | 13.3% |
| Shoreview, MN | 27,771 | 115 | 14.9% |
| West Chicago, IL | 27,740 | 110 | 9.8% |
| Carrollton, GA | 27,734 | 98 | 2.1% |
| Bristol, TN | 27,756 | 91 | 8.7% |
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