Bristol is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Virginia. The city has a population of 17,459 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 88% of Bristol residents are White, 7% Black and 0% Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Bristol is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Bristol is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before relocating to any new city in Virginia, 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Bristol and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Bristol to Virginia and the national average.
Bristol, VA receives 75/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #124 in Virginia and #3,785 in the USA. Based on this score, Bristol would be considered a very livable city! For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Bristol ranks very well for cost of living (A+), education (A) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Bristol. The following was graded with a disappointing score: crime (D) and employment (F).
Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Bristol, the average school test scores reached an impressive 80%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Bristol an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Bristol can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Assuming that Bristol meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Bristol. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Bristol are simply unattainable. The median home price for Bristol homes is $225,804, which is 48.1% lower than the Virginia 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 3.8, which is 15.6% lower than the Virginia average.
| Statistic | Bristol | Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.3% | 77.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.1% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.4% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.2% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.2% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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