Cost of Living in Kingsport, TN
Updated November 2026 · Sullivan County · Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area · population 56,262
Prices in Kingsport are 10.8% below the US average (local index 89.2; the BEA index for the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is 86.4), with local housing the biggest saving at 59.2; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,061 a month and the median rent is $907.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Kingsport's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, unchanged.
Kingsport price index by category, US average = 100: All items 89.2, Housing (rents) 59.2, Goods 96.2, Utilities 75.9, Other services 95.8
It is the least expensive of the 18 Tennessee cities in our data. Cheaper than 95% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 86.6 | 83.4 | 85.5 | 86.2 | 85.0 | 86.4 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Kingsport, TN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $486 | $5,832 | 24% |
| Utilities | $231 | $2,772 | 11% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 13% |
| Transportation | $575 | $6,900 | 28% |
| Health care | $337 | $4,044 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $161 | $1,932 | 8% |
| Total | $2,061 | $24,732 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Kingsport, TN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $704 | $8,448 | 19% |
| Utilities | $363 | $4,356 | 10% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,137 | $13,644 | 31% |
| Health care | $624 | $7,488 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $317 | $3,804 | 9% |
| Total | $3,646 | $43,752 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Kingsport, TN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $766 | $9,192 | 17% |
| Utilities | $443 | $5,316 | 10% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 16% |
| Transportation | $1,515 | $18,180 | 34% |
| Health care | $582 | $6,984 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $408 | $4,896 | 9% |
| Total | $4,429 | $53,148 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Kingsport
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $801 modelled from city median rent |
| 1 bedroom | $631 |
| 2 bedrooms | $913 |
| 3 bedrooms | $994 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,097 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $907 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $699 |
| Median home value | $234,100 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,387/mo |
| Median household income | $52,490 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 29.5% |
| Home value ÷ household income Moderate | 4.5× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Tennessee
13.42¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +2.5% (from 13.09¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,186 kWh a month in Tennessee ≈ $161/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Tennessee is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Kingsport are 10.8% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $67,300 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 89.2. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City, TN | 15 mi | 90.7 | $2,236 | $1,023 |
| Asheville, NC | 66 mi | 97.5 | $2,754 | $1,402 |
| Gatlinburg, TN | 76 mi | 90.7 | $2,488 | $1,098 |
| Hendersonville, NC | 83 mi | 96.6 | $2,699 | $1,332 |
| Knoxville, TN | 87 mi | 93.5 | $2,415 | $1,191 |
| Maryville, TN | 96 mi | 93.0 | $2,310 | $1,157 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terre Haute, IN | 89.2 | $2,125 | $922 |
| Tulsa, OK | 89.2 | $2,275 | $1,052 |
| Owensboro, KY | 89.3 | $2,061 | $905 |
| Rapid City, SD | 89.3 | $2,337 | $1,109 |
| Lafayette, LA | 89.1 | $2,301 | $1,100 |
| Ames, IA | 89.1 | $2,372 | $1,023 |
Compare Kingsport with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Kingsport, TN an expensive place to live?
Kingsport has a local cost of living index of 89.2, which is 10.8% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area (86.4) and adjusts housing to Kingsport's own rents. It is 2.7 points below the Tennessee average. It is the least expensive of the 18 Tennessee cities in our data. Cheaper than 95% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Kingsport?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,061 for a single adult, $3,646 for a couple and $4,429 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $53,500 in Kingsport.
What is the average rent in Kingsport?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $907 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $631, 2 bedrooms $913, 3 bedrooms $994. The typical renter spends 29.5% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Kingsport?
The median owner-estimated home value is $234,100, 4.5 times the median household income of $52,490 (moderate). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,387 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Kingsport?
Tennessee residential electricity averaged 13.42¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 86.4) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 4739560 (Kingsport city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Tennessee residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources