Cost of Living in Kingston, TN

Population 6,042 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

61
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Kingston offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $204,000 — costs less than 2.9 times median household income of $70,532, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Kingston is about 30 miles west of Knoxville, the nearest large metro. Housing prices track closely with Knoxville's $214,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 67
Rent 53

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

About the Cost of Living in Kingston

The median home value in Kingston is $204,200 — 33% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $699/month, 47% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,532/year is 5% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.7%, above the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 68.7°F and lows of 48.4°F, with about 4.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Kingston has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$204,200
33% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$324,096
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$699/mo
47% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,112/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.3x
Favors renting
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 77.7%
Renter-occupied 22.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$699
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,313/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
28.8 min
7% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.7%
Carpooled
6.4%
Walked
2.8%
Work from home
6.1%

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
$70,532
5% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,563
Unemployment Rate
6.7%
38% above avg
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor Force Participation
54.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 8.7%
Graduate degree 16.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 47.1
Male median age 41.7
Female median age 50.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
68.7°F
Avg Low
48.4°F
Annual Precip
59.7"
Annual Snowfall
4.4"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 475161707884878781715949
Low °F 293239475664686761483732
Precip" 5.505.935.555.584.504.765.903.724.133.295.005.84
Snow" 1.81.40.60.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 36 — Good
72.3%
Good air days/yr
106
Max AQI recorded
357
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
17
Public schools
6,514
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kingston, TN?

Kingston has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in Kingston, TN?

The median gross rent in Kingston is $699 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kingston?

The median home value in Kingston is $204,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Kingston?

The median household income in Kingston is $70,532 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kingston, TN?

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

Is Kingston, TN affordable?

Yes, Kingston is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Kingston?

Kingston has average high temperatures of 68.7°F and average lows of 48.4°F. Annual precipitation is 59.7". Average annual snowfall is 4.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Kingston at a Glance

Population
6,042
Median Income
$70,532
Home Value
$204,200
Median Rent
$699/mo
Unemployment
6.7%
Avg High Temp
68.7°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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