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Elizabethton is a small city of 14,375 in Tennessee, with a median household income of $44,252
and a 6.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Elizabethton 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 Elizabethton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Elizabethton 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: 88.9
Elizabethton's overall cost of living index is 88.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Elizabethton costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Elizabethton, TN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$150,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$725
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
61.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$44,252
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Elizabethton's violent crime rate is 147.6 per 100,000 residents
— 61% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
147.6 /100k
Property Crime
1560.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Elizabethton is served primarily by Carter County.
Metric
Elizabethton, TN
National Avg
School District
Carter County
—
Elementary Schools
7
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
5
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
24.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
87.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Elizabethton sees average highs of 46.2°F in January
and 85.5°F in July,
with 48.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 6.0 inches of snow per year.
Elizabethton's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Elizabethton roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $150,100 and median rent is $725/month.
Elizabethton's violent crime rate is 147.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1560.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Elizabethton are operated by Carter County.
The district has 7 elementary, 1 middle, and 5 high schools.
24.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Elizabethton, TN has a population of 14,375, a median household income of $44,252, and an unemployment rate of 6.9%.
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.
Elizabethton averages 46.2°F in January and 85.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.0 inches
with about 6.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Elizabethton, TN is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 37643, 37682.
The population of Elizabethton, Tennessee is 14,375 with a median age of 39.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Elizabethton: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $150,100, median household income $44,252, crime index 53 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elizabethton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
