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City Housing Verdict

Kingsport, TN

Stretch

Your dollar goes further in Kingsport, TN — everyday costs run about 21% below the national average (Cost Index: 79). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $203,000, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $50,436 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Kingsport sits in the stretch zone: not impossible, but household feasibility will depend heavily on rent, down payment, debt load, and whether you are renting or buying. Start with the verdict panel, then compare scenarios before treating this city as affordable.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Kingsport.

Monthly Housing
$843/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
20%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$2,860/mo
After housing and debt · $953/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 32%
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Cost Index
79
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$203,000
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$843/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$50,436
National: $78,538
Population
55,807
Purchasing Power
81
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
67 / 100
33% below average
Rent Index
63 / 100
37% below average
Goods & Groceries
96 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
76 / 100
24% lower utility bills
Healthcare & Services
96 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
79
Affordable · 21% below average

Kingsport Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $203,000 and Tennessee's property tax rate of 0.66%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$50,436
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
20%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
4x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Kingsport looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Kingsport, TN

Est. Annual Property Tax
$1,340
Monthly Impact
$112
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.66%
National avg: ~1.00%

Tennessee Place Tax Context

Tax TypeTennesseeNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.66%1.00%
Top Income Tax RateNo State Income Tax~5.0%
State Sales Tax9.55%~5.0%

Compare Kingsport to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Kingsport, TN
79
63
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Kingsport, TN: 67
Rent Prices
63

FAQ: Living in Kingsport

Is Kingsport, TN an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Kingsport run about 21% below the US average (Cost Index: 79). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $203,000, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $843, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Kingsport fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $843, while local median household income is $50,436. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 20% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Kingsport, TN?+

Tennessee is one of the few states with no state income tax, which can save residents thousands of dollars per year. The effective property tax rate is 0.66%. On a home worth $203,000, that translates to roughly $1,340 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 9.55% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Kingsport, TN?+

The typical monthly rent in Kingsport is around $843. That's roughly 37% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $203,000, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Kingsport, TN?+

The median home in Kingsport is valued at $203,000. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,026/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 62% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Kingsport?+

Grocery prices in Kingsport are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 76). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Kingsport, TN like to live in?+

Kingsport is a smaller city with a population of about 55,807. The median age of residents is 42.8, skewing somewhat older — common in established suburban communities. The local poverty rate is 20.78%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Tennessee

If Kingsport feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Tennessee

Use these city pages when you want to compare Kingsport against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly