3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Bristol, TN
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Bristol, Tennessee as of October 2026. That's +6% lower than the citywide median of $1,424 and +37% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Tennessee
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greeneville | $712 |
| 2 | Crossville | $874 |
| 3 | Morristown | $961 |
| 4 | Lawrenceburg | $1,140 |
| 5 | Athens | $1,180 |
| 6 | Dayton | $1,190 |
| 7 | Dyersburg | $1,190 |
| 8 | Brownsville | $1,200 |
| 9 | Elizabethton | $1,250 |
| 10 | Tullahoma | $1,310 |
| 11 | Sevierville | $1,314 |
| 12 | Kingsport | $1,323 |
| 13 | Bristol (this page) | $1,340 |
| 14 | Cookeville | $1,380 |
| 15 | Jefferson City | $1,380 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Tennessee
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farragut | $2,980 |
| 2 | Mount Juliet | $2,940 |
| 3 | Spring Hill | $2,810 |
| 4 | La Vergne | $2,640 |
| 5 | Thompsons Station | $2,568 |
| 6 | Germantown | $2,540 |
| 7 | Lakeland | $2,500 |
| 8 | Nashville | $2,498 |
| 9 | Hendersonville | $2,390 |
| 10 | Bartlett | $2,380 |
| 11 | Collierville | $2,370 |
| 12 | Franklin | $2,365 |
| 13 | Ooltewah | $2,360 |
| 14 | Arlington | $2,310 |
| 15 | Cordova | $2,290 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Bristol.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Bristol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol, VA | 6.7 mi | $1,420 | +$80 (+6%) |
| Elizabethton, TN | 12.3 mi | $1,250 | $-90 (-7%) |
| Johnson City, TN | 24.5 mi | $1,473 | +$133 (+10%) |
| Kingsport, TN | 29.6 mi | $1,323 | $-17 (-1%) |
| Jonesborough, TN | 33.1 mi | $1,590 | +$250 (+19%) |
| Boone, NC | 38.1 mi | $1,570 | +$230 (+17%) |
| Greeneville, TN | 57.4 mi | $712 | $-628 (-47%) |
| Marion, NC | 58.1 mi | $1,190 | $-150 (-11%) |
| Morganton, NC | 59.2 mi | $1,950 | +$610 (+46%) |
| Weaverville, NC | 62.9 mi | $1,950 | +$610 (+46%) |
| Black Mountain, NC | 66.6 mi | $1,950 | +$610 (+46%) |
| Swannanoa, NC | 67.1 mi | $1,950 | +$610 (+46%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Bristol — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Bristol?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Bristol, Tennessee is $1,340 per month. This is +6% below the citywide median of $1,424.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Bristol?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $53,600 ($4,467/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Bristol expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Bristol's 3-bedroom median of $1,340 is +37% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 8th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Bristol rank for 3-bedroom rent in Tennessee?
Among the 66 cities in Tennessee with 3-bedroom data, Bristol ranks #13 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Bristol?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Elizabethton ($1,250), Kingsport ($1,323), Greeneville ($712).