Rows tagged local are specific to Bristol (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: 7/10 (district Bristol City Public Schools · 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
$45,250
local
#3085 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$36,238
local
#2498 of 3,220 cities
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.14%
local
#1173 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-0.2%
local
#2395 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$154,900
local
#276 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.4×
local
#1144 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.2%
metro-area
#106 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$78
local
#216 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,999 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$784
local
#70 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)
12.5%
state
#2 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
5.73%
state
#189 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.75%
Capital gains tax
5.75%
state
#1 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.81%
local
#1088 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,250
local
#196 of 3,220 cities
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#17 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$15,000
state
#25 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$80
state
#13 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
3.97% of value (~$1,112/yr)
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#156 of 3,220 cities
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.4¢/kWh
state
#32 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$156
state
#32 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#3 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#69 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$103
state
#132 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$77
state
#106 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#129 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
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
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,600
metro-area
#94 of 200 metros
Avg summer high
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)
200
state
#185 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,500
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)
3
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
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.