| Index | Kingsport | Tennessee | National |
| Cost of living | 92 | 92 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 79 | 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 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Kingsport is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Kingsport is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Kingsport aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Kingsport residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 7 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Kingsport. The results indicated that 43% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 57% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
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 17.1% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 31.6% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Kingsport boasting a median household income of $61,471, 24.4% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Kingsport, the housing index is 21.4% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Kingsport comes in at 1.2% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The Kingsport 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 | $87,316 | $7,276 | $2,037 | $2,620 |
| Renters | $36,615 | $3,051 | $854 | $1,099 |
| 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. |
| Clinchport, VA | 49 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Weber City, VA | 1,641 | 87 | 13.0% |
| Fall Branch, TN | 1,206 | 87 | 12.5% |
| Bloomingdale, TN | 9,688 | 87 | 12.5% |
| Central, TN | 1,996 | 88 | 11.6% |
| Kingsport, TN | 55,254 | 92 | 7.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Minnetonka, MN | 55,235 | 126 | 25.9% |
| St. Cloud, FL | 55,190 | 110 | 9.8% |
| Summerville, SC | 55,185 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Paramount, CA | 55,175 | 141 | 40.7% |
| Pinellas Park, FL | 55,392 | 104 | 4.1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 55,254 | 92 | 7.8% |
Here are the best places to live in Tennessee
Safest Cities In The US
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Tennessee