CostIndexUSA

Kingsport, TN vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Kingsport
86.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
AL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Kingsport is slightly cheaper than Tuscaloosa — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kingsport, you would need $81,200 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+3.0%
Kingsport
56.5
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Kingsport
96.2
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Kingsport
100.6
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare+1.0%
Kingsport
91
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities+11.2%
Kingsport
75.9
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$81,200
$1,200 more needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 86.4) = salary × 1.0150. 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×

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
58.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Tuscaloosa has 3.0% 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

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Household Income
$58,200
Per Capita Income
$33,200
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
99,543
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingAutomotiveGovernment

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)

Tuscaloosa, AL
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.