Kingsport 71 Excellent
Kingsport Livability #40 ranked city in Tennessee#6,407 ranked city in the USARanks better than 78% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Kingsport

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Crime Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

What's it like Living in Kingsport?

Located in the state of Tennessee, Kingsport is a moderately-sized city with a population of 55,254 residents. The majority of Kingsport residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Kingsport. With an average one way commute time of only 19 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Kingsport can be a fulfilling experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Tennessee, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Kingsport, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, commute, health & safety, education, employment and more.

Kingsport has a livability score of 69 out of 100 and is ranked #65 in Tennessee and #8,011 in the USA. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Kingsport ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A) There is at least one category that did not score well in Kingsport. The following was graded with a disappointing score: crime (F), education (D) and employment (F).

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 Kingsport 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.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Kingsport is real estate affordability. The median home price for Kingsport homes is $270,875, which is 3.3% higher than the Tennessee average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kingsport, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.4, which is 18.9% higher than the Tennessee average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kingsport

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Kingsport?

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Compare Kingsport, TN Livability

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      Kingsport transportation information

      Statistic Kingsport Tennessee National
      Average one way commute19min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.9%83.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.9%9.2%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.8%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%1.4%2.8%
      Working from home6.3%3.9%4.6%
      Source: The Kingsport, 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.