CostIndexUSA

Kingsport, TN vs San Jose, 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 Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent

Kingsport is significantly cheaper than San Jose — 27.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kingsport, you would need $102,200 in San Jose. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+275.0%
Kingsport
56.5
San Jose
211.9
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Kingsport
96.2
San Jose
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Kingsport
100.6
San Jose
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.7%
Kingsport
91
San Jose
95.3
Utilities+106.5%
Kingsport
75.9
San Jose
156.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Jose, CA
$102,200
$22,200 more needed in San Jose

Formula: salary × (110.4 ÷ 86.4) = salary × 1.2778. 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 Jose, CA

Median Home Price
$1,569,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Housing Index
211.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5×

San Jose has 275.0% 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 Jose, CA

Median Household Income
$153,200
Per Capita Income
$87,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
1,013,240
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsSoftwareHealthcareFinance

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 Jose, CA
3.8×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.