CostIndexUSA

Kingsport, TN vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Kingsport
86.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
TN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Kingsport is moderately cheaper than Memphis — 6.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kingsport, you would need $85,400 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+41.2%
Kingsport
56.5
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Kingsport
96.2
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Kingsport
100.6
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Kingsport
91
Memphis
90.6
Utilities2.4%
Kingsport
75.9
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Kingsport to see what you'd need to earn in Memphis to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$85,400
$5,400 more needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 86.4) = salary × 1.0671. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Kingsport, TN

Median Home Price
$235,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
56.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.0×

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Memphis has 41.2% higher housing costs compared to Kingsport.

Income & Job Market

Kingsport, TN

Median Household Income
$53,800
Per Capita Income
$30,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
55,442
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareChemicalsRetailGovernment

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Kingsport, TN
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.