1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bristol, TN
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bristol, Tennessee as of July 2026. That's +42% lower than the citywide median of $1,415 and +41% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Bristol
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Bristol
Compare Bristol's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Tennessee
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greeneville | $424 |
| 2 | Crossville | $488 |
| 3 | Morristown | $625 |
| 4 | Brownsville | $690 |
| 5 | Dyersburg | $740 |
| 6 | Martin | $760 |
| 7 | Cookeville | $790 |
| 8 | Elizabethton | $810 |
| 9 | Manchester | $810 |
| 10 | Kingsport | $813 |
| 11 | Bristol (this page) | $820 |
| 12 | Tullahoma | $820 |
| 13 | Athens | $840 |
| 14 | Kingston | $940 |
| 15 | Jackson | $945 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Tennessee
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Juliet | $2,100 |
| 2 | Arlington | $2,048 |
| 3 | Thompsons Station | $1,893 |
| 4 | Spring Hill | $1,890 |
| 5 | La Vergne | $1,890 |
| 6 | Farragut | $1,890 |
| 7 | Nashville | $1,785 |
| 8 | Franklin | $1,767 |
| 9 | Brentwood | $1,764 |
| 10 | Germantown | $1,720 |
| 11 | Hendersonville | $1,710 |
| 12 | Lakeland | $1,690 |
| 13 | Ooltewah | $1,680 |
| 14 | Bartlett | $1,615 |
| 15 | Collierville | $1,600 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Bristol.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Bristol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol, VA | 6.7 mi | $870 | +$50 (+6%) |
| Elizabethton, TN | 12.3 mi | $810 | $-10 (-1%) |
| Johnson City, TN | 24.5 mi | $950 | +$130 (+16%) |
| Kingsport, TN | 29.6 mi | $813 | $-7 (-1%) |
| Jonesborough, TN | 33.1 mi | $1,020 | +$200 (+24%) |
| Boone, NC | 38.1 mi | $1,020 | +$200 (+24%) |
| Lenoir, NC | 54.5 mi | $820 | — |
| Greeneville, TN | 57.4 mi | $424 | $-396 (-48%) |
| Marion, NC | 58.1 mi | $840 | +$20 (+2%) |
| Morganton, NC | 59.2 mi | $1,350 | +$530 (+65%) |
| Weaverville, NC | 62.9 mi | $1,350 | +$530 (+65%) |
| Black Mountain, NC | 66.6 mi | $1,350 | +$530 (+65%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Bristol — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Bristol?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Bristol, Tennessee is $820 per month. This is +42% below the citywide median of $1,415.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Bristol?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $32,800 ($2,733/month gross), which works out to roughly $15.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bristol expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bristol's 1-bedroom median of $820 is +41% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 7th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bristol rank for 1-bedroom rent in Tennessee?
Among the 65 cities in Tennessee with 1-bedroom data, Bristol ranks #11 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Bristol?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Elizabethton ($810), Kingsport ($813), Greeneville ($424).