Bristol 73 Excellent
Bristol Livability #25 ranked city in Tennessee#5,274 ranked city in the USARanks better than 81% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Bristol

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

What's it like Living in Bristol?

Located in the state of Tennessee, Bristol is a mid-sized city with a population of 27,756 residents. The majority of Bristol residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Bristol is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving to any new city in Tennessee, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Bristol, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, commute, employment, housing and more.

With a livability score of 72 out of 100, Bristol is ranked #5,469 in the United States and #33 in Tennessee. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Bristol has higher than average rankings for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Bristol does not have favorable ranks for the following: crime (D-) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Bristol apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Bristol. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Bristol are affordable. The median home price for Bristol homes is $249,793, which is 4.7% lower than the Tennessee average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bristol, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 10.8% higher than the Tennessee average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bristol

See all the best places to live around Bristol

How Do You Rate The Livability In Bristol?

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Compare Bristol, TN Livability

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      Bristol transportation information

      Statistic Bristol Tennessee National
      Average one way commute22min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work87.2%83.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.7%9.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%0.8%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%1.4%2.8%
      Working from home4.2%3.9%4.6%
      Source: The Bristol, TN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.