RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · TN

Bristol

Pop. 27,636·52nd most expensive in Tennessee·Bristol rents are up 5.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,415/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.0%
Month-over-Month
+6.2%
vs US Median
-$550
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Bristol rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bristol · $1,415
More affordable than 81% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,415/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$57,000/yr
Local median income
$58,162/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bristol's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$740
1 BR
$820
2 BR
$1,040
3 BR
$1,340
4 BR+
$1,530
Research median
$1,040/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,980/yr
At $1,415/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.0% YoY, +6.2% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Bristol, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 30.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
27,636
Median income
$58,162
Median age
41.1
Renters
32.6%
Age distribution
20.2%
23.5%
22.7%
14%
19.5%
Under 1820.2%
18–3423.5%
35–5422.7%
55–6414%
65+19.5%
Gender
46.7%
53.3%
Male46.7%
Female53.3%
Race & ethnicity
90.6%
White90.6%
Black3.1%
Hispanic3.3%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
31.5%
30.4%
30.6%
No HS diploma7.5%
HS diploma31.5%
Some college30.4%
Bachelor's+30.6%
Housing tenure
67.4%
32.6%
Owner67.4%
Renter32.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bristol, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$43,638 → $58,162
up 33.3%
Population
27,154 → 27,636
up 1.8%
Renter share
35% → 32.6%
-2.4 pts
Bachelor's+
28.5% → 30.6%
+2.1 pts
Median age
40.3 → 41.1
+0.8 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $58,162 today, compared with $43,638 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 27,154 to 27,636 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.8% change. About 32.6% of households rent today, against 35% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 28.5% to 30.6%.

Community

Discussions about Bristol

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Bristol rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bristol on your salary?

At $1,415/mo, how Bristol rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bristol rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bristol. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bristol

About renting in Bristol, TN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bristol is $1,415/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,040/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,340/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($58,162/yr), Bristol ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bristol an affordable city for renters?

Bristol is considered affordable for renters. At $1,415/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($58,162/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bristol falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bristol?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,415/mo in Bristol. The local median household income is $58,162/yr, meaning the typical Bristol household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bristol?

Rent in Bristol has increased 5.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Bristol rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Bristol is one of the more affordable cities in Tennessee for rent, ranking #52 out of 65 tracked cities at $1,415/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bristol?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bristol ($1,415/mo): Elizabethton ($1,067/mo), Kingsport ($1,355/mo), Bristol ($1,376/mo).

What percentage of Bristol residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.6% of Bristol households are renters, while 67.4% are owner-occupied. Bristol leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bristol rent compare to the national average?

Bristol's median rent of $1,415/mo is $550 (28%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #52 out of 65 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,415/mo, rent takes ~29% of Bristol's median household income ($58,162/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bristol 29%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Bristol affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Bristol
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bristol, TN

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Bristol.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.