A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
22%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Kingsport Tennessee National
Cost of living8889100
Goods & Services9394100
Groceries9598100
Health care8888100
Housing7880100
Transportation8289100
Utilities9993100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Kingsport, TN

The cost of living in Kingsport affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Kingsport is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Kingsport?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 5 residents in Kingsport to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 40% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 60% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Kingsport Affordable?

Is Kingsport affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Kingsport, the median home price is 19.3% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 29.8% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Kingsport boasting a median household income of $42,066, 24% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Kingsport?

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

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 Kingsport, the transportation index is 18% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Kingsport cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Kingsport is 1% lower than the Tennessee average
  • The cost of living in Kingsport is 12% lower than the national average
  • Kingsport housing is 22% lower than the national average
  • Tennessee general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Kingsport

See all the best places to live around Kingsport

Compare Kingsport, TN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$59,303$4,942$1,384$1,779
      Renters$24,224$2,019$565$727
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Kingsport, TN, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Kingsport, homeowners have a median income of $59,303. Using that number, a maximum of $1,384 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $24,224, which means there is a maximum of $565 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Tennessee Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Tennessee 7% 9.75%

      Tennessee Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Tennessee 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Kingsport National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.91$24.261.4%
      Beauty Salon $45.13$45.560.9%
      Toothpaste $3.58$3.703.4%
      Shampoo $1.19$1.287.3%
      Movie $14.09$12.1316.1%
      Bowling $19.33$18.007.4%

      Groceries

      Item Kingsport National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.20$5.846.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.66$1.575.3%
      Milk $4.67$4.670.0%
      Potatoes $5.02$4.931.7%
      Pizza $11.91$12.091.5%
      Beer $9.97$10.414.2%

      Health Care

      Item Kingsport National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $87.33$125.6830.5%
      Doctor $108.51$135.7820.1%
      Dentist $96.95$113.2914.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.49$10.651.5%
      Lipitor $471.32$468.600.6%

      Housing

      Item Kingsport National avg. Difference
      Home Price $149,100.00$184,700.0019.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,808.85$2,346.6922.9%
      Apartment Rent $666.00$949.0029.8%

      Transportation

      Item Kingsport National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.08$3.4610.9%
      Tire Balancing $51.47$59.9214.1%

      Utilities

      Item Kingsport National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $161.17$193.9916.9%
      Phone $192.18$192.250.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Clinchport, VA48927.5%
      Weber City, VA1,5808317.2%
      Fall Branch, TN1,1808317.0%
      Bloomingdale, TN9,4288316.5%
      Central, TN1,9269010.3%
      Kingsport, TN53,6998812.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Aloha, OR53,72412929.3%
      Apple Valley, MN53,72811211.7%
      Leesburg, VA53,73114242.2%
      Summerville, SC53,6431055.3%
      Minnetonka, MN53,76012222.4%
      Kingsport, TN53,6998812.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.