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Cost of living in Kingsport, TN

Livability score 75 · cost-of-living index 85.0 (US = 100)

Kingsport, TN
Photo: AppalachianCentrist via Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

How Kingsport compares

Where Kingsport falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 85 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 85 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $246k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $246k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $123 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $123 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 9.6% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 9.6% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.63% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.63% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 600 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 600 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 14.9 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 14.9 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 89° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 89° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 30° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 30°

Map of Kingsport

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)85.0metro-area#1 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)94.7metro-area#59 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$4.84metro-area#1 of 200
Median household income$53,644metro-area#194 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$35,286metro-area#169 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age45.6 yearsmetro-area#191 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)23.8%metro-area#179 of 200
Foreign-born residents1.4%metro-area#198 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied74.4%metro-area#12 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate5.96%metro-area#156 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+0.5%metro-area#157 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$246,242metro-area#39 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)4.6×metro-area#90 of 200
1-yr home appreciation+1.2%metro-area#106 of 200
Price per square foot$123metro-area#30 of 200
Typical home size (implied)2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,350metro-area#39 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)1,254
Median days on market15metro-area#85 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)7.6%state#2 of 200
Combined sales tax9.55%state#189 of 200
State income tax (top rate)None
Capital gains taxNonestate#1 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate0.63%metro-area#41 of 200
Median property tax paid$1,057metro-area#13 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth72.8 yearsmetro-area#191 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$6,300state#17 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)9.7%metro-area#122 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k90metro-area#36 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$9,000state#25 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$55state#13 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)Nonestate#1 of 200
Emissions testingNot required
Emissions detailStatewide testing ended 2022
DMV & license offices4
Avg commute to work24 minmetro-area#80 of 200
Commute by driving alone81.9%metro-area#192 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min29.7%metro-area#80 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity14.9¢/kWhstate#32 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$134state#32 of 200
Gasoline$2.95/galstate#3 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$62state#69 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$121state#132 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$80state#106 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$2,200state#129 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$1,600state#51 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsNotable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)58.6 — Relatively Lowmetro-area#3 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$700state#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$350state#149 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)41metro-area#50 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)1,700metro-area#128 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)93%state#87 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)3,600metro-area#94 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F14metro-area#63 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F0metro-area#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)89°Fmetro-area#113 of 200
Avg winter low30°Fmetro-area#89 of 200
Annual precipitation50.5"metro-area#162 of 200
Annual snowfall4.7"metro-area#83 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)60%metro-area#85 of 200
Plant hardiness zone7a
Frost window04-10 → 11-01

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)600state#185 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)2,600state#157 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores120metro-area#5 of 200
Parks60
Hiking areas15
Golf courses15
Shooting ranges4
Lakes4

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)2state#1 of 200
Permit detailGenerally easy

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Salaries by occupation in Kingsport

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $161,450
Pharmacists $126,780
Financial Managers $122,620
Marketing Managers $122,240
Data Scientists $115,440
Lawyers $110,930
Human Resources Managers $108,470
Software Developers $107,190
Physician Assistants $105,980
Mechanical Engineers $101,380
General & Operations Managers $94,290
Physical Therapists $92,630
Construction Managers $86,280
Civil Engineers $78,870
Dental Hygienists $71,950
Web Developers $69,770
Registered Nurses $68,080
Accountants & Auditors $66,780
Electricians $52,420
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $52,230
Elementary School Teachers $51,810
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $49,470
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $49,080
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $46,940
Carpenters $46,470
Graphic Designers $42,880
Real Estate Sales Agents $41,960
Medical Assistants $36,050

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