Bristol is a small city of 27,307 in Tennessee, with a median household income of $49,130
and a 8.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is
15% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bristol stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Bristol is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bristol city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 85.4
Bristol's overall cost of living index is 85.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bristol costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bristol, TN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$165,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$746
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
65.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$49,130
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Bristol's violent crime rate is 363.2 per 100,000 residents
— 4% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
363.2 /100k
Property Crime
1958.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bristol is served primarily by Bristol.
Metric
Bristol, TN
National Avg
School District
Bristol
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
29.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bristol sees average highs of 46.5°F in January
and 86.4°F in July,
with 44.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 9.2 inches of snow per year.
Bristol's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bristol roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $165,600 and median rent is $746/month.
Bristol's violent crime rate is 363.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1958.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bristol are operated by Bristol.
The district has 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
29.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bristol, TN has a population of 27,307, a median household income of $49,130, and an unemployment rate of 8.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Bristol averages 46.5°F in January and 86.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 44.0 inches
with about 9.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bristol, TN is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 37620, 37618.
The population of Bristol, Tennessee is 27,307 with a median age of 40.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bristol: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $165,600, median household income $49,130, crime index 95 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bristol side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
