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City Report · TN

Kingston

Pop. 6,224·55th most expensive in Tennessee·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,352/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+5.2%
vs US Median
-$610
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kingston · $1,352
More affordable than 85% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,352/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$54,000/yr
Local median income
$71,675/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Kingston's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$940
1 BR
$940
2 BR
$1,120
3 BR
$1,430
4 BR+
$1,880
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,120/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,352 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,224/yr
At $1,352/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +5.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kingston, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 24% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,224
Median income
$71,675
Median age
44.7
Renters
22.2%
Age distribution
21.9%
17.8%
24.9%
24%
Under 1821.9%
18–3417.8%
35–5424.9%
55–6411.4%
65+24%
Gender
47%
53%
Male47%
Female53%
Race & ethnicity
91.6%
White91.6%
Black3.7%
Hispanic1.5%
Asian1.7%
Other1.5%
Education (25+)
40.1%
28.2%
24%
No HS diploma7.7%
HS diploma40.1%
Some college28.2%
Bachelor's+24%
Housing tenure
77.8%
22.2%
Owner77.8%
Renter22.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kingston, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$65,508 → $71,675
up 9.4%
Population
5,942 → 6,224
up 4.7%
Renter share
33.7% → 22.2%
-11.5 pts
Bachelor's+
19.7% → 24%
+4.3 pts
Median age
46.6 → 44.7
-1.9 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $71,675 today, compared with $65,508 five years earlier. The population has grown by 4.7% since 2021, moving from about 5,942 residents to roughly 6,224. Renters now make up 22.2% of households, compared with 33.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 24% of adults here, versus 19.7% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Kingston

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

Can you afford rent in Kingston on your salary?

At $1,352/mo, how Kingston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kingston rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kingston

About renting in Kingston, TN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kingston is $1,352/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $940/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $940/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,430/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($71,675/yr), Kingston ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kingston an affordable city for renters?

Kingston is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,352/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($71,675/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kingston falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kingston?

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 $1,352/mo in Kingston. The local median household income is $71,675/yr, meaning the typical Kingston household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kingston?

Rent in Kingston has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Kingston rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Kingston is one of the more affordable cities in Tennessee for rent, ranking #55 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,352/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kingston?

Athens is nearby and more affordable at $1,083/mo, which is $269 less than Kingston.

What percentage of Kingston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 22.2% of Kingston households are renters, while 77.8% are owner-occupied. Kingston leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kingston rent compare to the national average?

Kingston's median rent of $1,352/mo is $610 (31%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #55 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,352/mo, rent takes ~23% of Kingston's median household income ($71,675/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kingston 23%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Kingston affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kingston, TN

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