CostIndexUSA

Kingsport, TN vs San Diego, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Kingsport
86.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Kingsport is significantly cheaper than San Diego — 29.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kingsport, you would need $103,600 in San Diego. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+217.3%
Kingsport
56.5
San Diego
179.3
🛒 Groceries+12.3%
Kingsport
96.2
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation+4.0%
Kingsport
100.6
San Diego
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.0%
Kingsport
91
San Diego
94.6
Utilities+129.5%
Kingsport
75.9
San Diego
174.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$103,600
$23,600 more needed in San Diego

Formula: salary × (111.9 ÷ 86.4) = salary × 1.2951. 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×

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$904,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.2×

San Diego has 217.3% 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

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

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)

San Diego, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.