Retirement Lists

Cost of Living in Kingsport, Tennessee

Broad Street in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee
Photo by AppalachianCentrist via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kingsport cost of living

Moderate housing references still need a county, terrain, tax, and repair review

The catalog estimates $2,591 per month for a local single budget, $4,086 for a couple, and $3,522 for a traveler. It lists $631 one bedroom rent, $913 two bedroom rent, $221 utilities, $460 groceries, $1,064 transportation, and $436 healthcare. Census QuickFacts reports a $907 median gross rent, a $234,100 median owner value, $1,387 monthly owner costs with a mortgage, and $454 without one for 2020 to 2024. These are planning references, not current listings or a personal household quote.

The catalog labels property taxes Low and car use Required. The 2025 city tax rate is $1.67 per $100 assessed value, while the combined Sullivan County and Kingsport rate for Sullivan County locations is listed at $3.2829 per $100. Confirm the county, assessed value, exemptions, schools, emergency districts, slope, drainage, insurance, utilities, repairs, and transport for the actual property.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $2,591 gives you the starting point, with transportation taking the largest share.

Housing
$631
Utilities (in rent)
$221
Food
$460/mo
Transportation
$1,064/mo
Healthcare
$436

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$3,522

Very Good

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,086

Very Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$631

Excellent

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$221/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
Low

Good

Overall Feel
Good
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
12.7%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
24.1%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
31.0%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$42,620

Could Kingsport fit your monthly retirement budget?

Compare your monthly budget with a city estimate. Add your expected housing amount when you have a more useful number.

Housing

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Starting renter estimates

Use these broad monthly estimates as a starting point, then replace them with costs you know.

One person
$2,591 per month
Two people
$4,086 per month

One-person estimate breakdown

Housing
$631
Food
$460
Transportation
$1,064
Healthcare
$436

Taxes, debt, insurance, out-of-pocket care, travel, and one-time moving costs may not be included.

Kingsport in everyday life

Could Kingsport work for you?

What may work well

  • Catalog estimates and Census housing references create a useful starting set of household questions.
  • City and county tax sources, the housing plan, hospitals, parks, and transit give identifiable costs and destinations to verify.

What to think about

  • Housing estimates do not settle county tax layers, insurance, utilities, repairs, accessibility, slope, drainage, or discretionary spending.
  • Car use, hills, weather, care travel, winter access, regional recreation, and airport trips can change the actual total.

Price a Kingsport household

  1. Compare several addresses

    Keep rent or mortgage, county, taxes, insurance, utilities, heating, cooling, repairs, accessibility, parking, broadband, and car use visible.

  2. Map recurring care

    Price Holston Valley, Indian Path, pharmacies, primary care, specialists, prescriptions, coverage, fuel, parking, transport, rehabilitation, and regional referrals.

  3. Reserve for weather

    Keep room for roof, drainage, slope work, winter weather, vehicle service, power interruptions, home support, storm repairs, and disrupted access.

Questions retirees ask

Does Kingsport have a published retirement budget?

The prepared facts estimate $2,591 for a local single budget and $4,086 for a couple, with separate housing and spending inputs. Treat them as starting points, then add county taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, car use, care, and discretionary spending.

What should I add to a Kingsport housing budget?

Add actual rent or mortgage, county and city taxes, assessed value, insurance, utilities, heating and cooling, repairs, accessibility, slope and drainage work, parking, vehicle costs, care travel, and winter weather reserves.

Kingsport affordability depends on the actual county, home, taxes, terrain, utilities, repairs, car use, care, and the services used each week.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.