salaryRent is lower than in 86% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.1 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $41,080 a year. That is $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Tennessee cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Tennessee. It is number 31 of 114 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bristol?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bristol
| Size | Bristol | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $411 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $699 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $989 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,033 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $771 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bristol overall?
Everyday prices in the Kingsport-Bristol metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 86.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Bristol
Life in Bristol
What jobs pay in Bristol
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,270 | 9.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | 10.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $117,490 | 10.5% |
| Software Developer | $115,310 | 10.7% |
| Lawyer | $107,560 | 11.5% |
| Operations Manager | $97,450 | 12.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $94,840 | 13.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $87,510 | 14.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,870 | 14.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $76,730 | 16.1% |
| Accountant | $75,940 | 16.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,420 | 18.8% |
| Electrician | $60,070 | 20.5% |
| Plumber | $59,360 | 20.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,130 | 21.2% |
| Truck Driver | $54,700 | 22.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $54,050 | 22.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $48,950 | 25.2% |
| Police Officer | $48,620 | 25.3% |
| Carpenter | $48,340 | 25.5% |
| Firefighter | $44,110 | 27.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,040 | 32.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,550 | 32.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,130 | 34.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $35,300 | 34.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,600 | 35.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,200 | 39.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,210 | 43.7% |
| Cashier | $27,420 | 44.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bristol?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $323 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $194,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,450 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bristol, TN?
Renting in Bristol costs a median of about $1,027 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Tennessee median is $1,279.
How much do I need to make to live in Bristol?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $41,080 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bristol cheap or expensive?
Bristol is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.6% of the typical household income of $62,728. It ranks 31st cheapest of 114 Tennessee cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bristol?
The median homeowner in Bristol pays $1,450 a year in property taxes, about 0.75% of the median home value.
Is Bristol more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bristol?
The median home value in Bristol is $194,500, about 3.1 times the typical yearly household income.
27,636 people live in Bristol. Numbers are typical (middle) values.