Cost of Living in Jonesborough, TN

Population 6,056 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

82
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Jonesborough a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $248,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.6% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 85 miles east of Knoxville, Jonesborough is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 16% higher than Knoxville's $214,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 81
Rent 84

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Jonesborough

The median home value in Jonesborough is $247,900 — 19% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,103/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $63,155/year is 15% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 68.2°F and lows of 44.9°F, with about 9.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Jonesborough has a cost of living index of 82 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$247,900
19% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$322,935
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,103/mo
16% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,515/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$809
2 BR
$948
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR
$1,510
Owner-occupied 60.6%
Renter-occupied 39.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,103
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,717/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
21.1 min
22% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
67.4%
Carpooled
8.7%
Walked
4.0%
Work from home
17.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.6%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$63,155
15% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,031
Unemployment Rate
1.6%
68% below avg
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Labor Force Participation
54.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.9%
Graduate degree 9.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.4
Male median age 38.6
Female median age 40.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
68.2°F
Avg Low
44.9°F
Annual Precip
44"
Annual Snowfall
9.2"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 475159697784868681705950
Low °F 262935435261656356443429
Precip" 3.653.813.963.793.823.925.003.762.842.523.143.76
Snow" 3.03.01.10.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.31.7

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
16
Public schools
8,503
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Jonesborough, TN?

Jonesborough has a cost index of 82 (100 = national average). It is 18% below the national average.

What is average rent in Jonesborough, TN?

The median gross rent in Jonesborough is $1,103 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Jonesborough?

The median home value in Jonesborough is $247,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Jonesborough?

The median household income in Jonesborough is $63,155 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Jonesborough, TN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Jonesborough is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Is Jonesborough, TN affordable?

Yes, Jonesborough is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 82 — about 18% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Jonesborough?

Jonesborough has average high temperatures of 68.2°F and average lows of 44.9°F. Annual precipitation is 44". Average annual snowfall is 9.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Jonesborough at a Glance

Population
6,056
Median Income
$63,155
Home Value
$247,900
Median Rent
$1,103/mo
Unemployment
1.6%
Avg High Temp
68.2°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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