CostIndexUSA

Kingsport, TN vs Richmond, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Kingsport
86.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
VA
Richmond
97.9
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Kingsport is moderately cheaper than Richmond — 13.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kingsport, you would need $90,600 in Richmond. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+75.4%
Kingsport
56.5
Richmond
99.1
🛒 Groceries+0.6%
Kingsport
96.2
Richmond
96.8
🚗 Transportation+2.9%
Kingsport
100.6
Richmond
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+3.0%
Kingsport
91
Richmond
93.7
Utilities+17.5%
Kingsport
75.9
Richmond
89.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Richmond, VA
$90,600
$10,600 more needed in Richmond

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 86.4) = salary × 1.1331. 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×

Richmond, VA

Median Home Price
$381,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
99.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2×

Richmond has 75.4% 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

Richmond, VA

Median Household Income
$84,300
Per Capita Income
$48,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
226,610
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

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)

Richmond, VA
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.