How much does it cost to rent in Kingsport, TN?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Kingsport, TN is $1,355. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Kingsport cheaper than other Tennessee cities?

Kingsport is among the more affordable cities in Tennessee, ranking #55 out of 65 cities at $1,355/mo.

When was Kingsport rent data last updated?

Kingsport rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Kingsport a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Kingsport is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 1.6% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · TN

Kingsport

Name: Average Rent Prices in Kingsport, TN
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 56,262·55th most expensive in Tennessee·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,355/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.6%

Month-over-Month

-3.0%

vs US Median

-$610

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Kingsport rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Kingsport · $1,355

More affordable than 84% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

59/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Kingsport's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,355/mo

Expected by trend

$1,416/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kingsport's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$737

1 BR

$813

2 BR

$1,030

3 BR

$1,323

4 BR+

$1,517

Research median

$1,030/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

$16,260/yr

At $1,355/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 1.6% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.6% YoY, -3.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Kingsport, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 31.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

56,262

Median income

$52,490

Median age

Renters

39.9%

Age distribution

20.6%

19.6%

24.6%

23.3%

Under 1820.6%

18–3419.6%

35–5424.6%

55–6411.8%

65+23.3%

Gender

46.3%

53.7%

Male46.3%

Female53.7%

Race & ethnicity

90.2%

White90.2%

Black2.7%

Hispanic3.7%

Asian1%

Other2.4%

Education (25+)

29.1%

30.1%

31.5%

No HS diploma9.4%

HS diploma29.1%

Some college30.1%

Bachelor's+31.5%

Housing tenure

60.1%

39.9%

Owner60.1%

Renter39.9%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Kingsport, TN has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,160 → $1,355

up 16.8%

Income

$43,025 → $52,490

up 22.0%

Population

55,019 → 56,262

up 2.3%

Renter share

38.6% → 39.9%

+1.3 pts

Bachelor's+

28.5% → 31.5%

+3.0 pts

Median age

45.2 → 43

-2.2 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Kingsport, TN has shifted from $1,160 to $1,355, up 16.8% since 2023. Median household income climbed from $43,025 to $52,490 between 2021 and 2024, a 22.0% shift. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Kingsport, TN adding about 1,243 residents over the five-year window, up 2.3% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 28.5% to 31.5% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Kingsport, TN reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Kingsport

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View Kingsport rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kingsport on your salary?

At $1,355/mo, how Kingsport rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 18.7% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 26.3% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 22.9% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 12.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 10% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 28.1% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 31.2% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 25.3% income

affordable

By apartment size

Kingsport rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kingsport

About renting in Kingsport, TN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Kingsport is $1,355/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $737/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $813/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,323/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($52,490/yr), Kingsport ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kingsport an affordable city for renters?

Kingsport is considered moderate for renters. At $1,355/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($52,490/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kingsport slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Kingsport?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,355/mo in Kingsport. The local median household income is $52,490/yr, meaning the typical Kingsport household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kingsport?

Rent in Kingsport has increased 1.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Kingsport neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Kingsport are 37664 ($1,296/mo), 37660 ($1,355/mo), and 37663 ($1,822/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Kingsport is $1,355/mo.

How does Kingsport rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Kingsport is one of the more affordable cities in Tennessee for rent, ranking #55 out of 65 tracked cities at $1,355/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kingsport?

Elizabethton is nearby and more affordable at $1,067/mo, which is $288 less than Kingsport.

What percentage of Kingsport residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.9% of Kingsport households are renters, while 60.1% are owner-occupied. Kingsport leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kingsport rent compare to the national average?

Kingsport's median rent of $1,355/mo is $610 (31%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #55 out of 65 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

31%

MODERATE

At $1,355/mo, rent takes ~31% of Kingsport's median household income ($52,490/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kingsport 31%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Kingsport affordability calculator →

Nearby cities