CostIndexUSA

Kingsport, TN vs Roanoke, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Kingsport
86.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
VA
Roanoke
93.6
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Kingsport is moderately cheaper than Roanoke — 8.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kingsport, you would need $86,700 in Roanoke. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+38.9%
Kingsport
56.5
Roanoke
78.5
🛒 Groceries+0.6%
Kingsport
96.2
Roanoke
96.8
🚗 Transportation+2.9%
Kingsport
100.6
Roanoke
103.5
🏥 Healthcare+3.0%
Kingsport
91
Roanoke
93.7
Utilities+17.1%
Kingsport
75.9
Roanoke
88.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Kingsport to see what you'd need to earn in Roanoke to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Roanoke, VA
$86,700
$6,700 more needed in Roanoke

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 86.4) = salary × 1.0833. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Kingsport, TN

Median Home Price
$235,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
56.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.0×

Roanoke, VA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
78.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Roanoke has 38.9% higher housing costs compared to Kingsport.

Income & Job Market

Kingsport, TN

Median Household Income
$53,800
Per Capita Income
$30,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
55,442
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareChemicalsRetailGovernment

Roanoke, VA

Median Household Income
$65,500
Per Capita Income
$37,300
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
99,394
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Kingsport, TN
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Roanoke, VA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.