Rows tagged local are specific to Kingsport (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Kingsport, TN. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Kingsport · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
85.0
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.7
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$4.84
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Median household income
$48,228
local
#3007 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$33,618
local
#2754 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
45.6 years
metro-area
#191 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
23.8%
metro-area
#179 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
1.4%
metro-area
#198 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
74.4%
metro-area
#12 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.31%
local
#1886 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+5.2%
local
#1246 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$181,600
local
#466 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.8×
local
#1547 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.2%
metro-area
#106 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$91
local
#361 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$772
local
#62 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,254
Median days on market
15
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
7.6%
state
#2 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
9.55%
state
#189 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
None
Capital gains tax
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate
0.81%
local
#1105 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,477
local
#325 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
72.8 years
metro-area
#191 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,300
state
#17 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
9.7%
metro-area
#122 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
90
metro-area
#36 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$9,000
state
#25 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$55
state
#13 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
Statewide testing ended 2022
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#142 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
81.9%
metro-area
#192 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
29.7%
metro-area
#80 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.9¢/kWh
state
#32 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$134
state
#32 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#3 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#69 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$121
state
#132 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#106 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#129 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
58.6 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#3 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#149 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
41
metro-area
#50 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,700
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
93%
state
#87 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,600
metro-area
#94 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
14
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
50.5"
metro-area
#162 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
4.7"
metro-area
#83 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
600
state
#185 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,600
state
#157 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally 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.