Performance
Score Breakdown
Kingsport
Memphis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kingsport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
33% lower compared to Memphis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kingsport's average rent is
16% higher than Memphis's.
| Metric | Kingsport | Memphis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $1,210 | +16% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,400 | $2,100 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Memphis offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Kingsport | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $70,000 |
| Household Income | $52,490 | $51,736 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kingsport | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Memphis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Memphis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kingsport | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 19.40 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Memphis is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Kingsport.
From a growth perspective, Kingsport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kingsport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kingsport | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,479 | 609,647 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | % |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kingsport
Advantages
The overall crime rate in Kingsport is 46% below the national average as of July 2026.
Kingsport's cost of living is significantly lower than the national average.
The average commute time in Kingsport is 19.1 minutes, shorter than the national average.
Kingsport City Schools are highly rated and offer an academically progressive educational platform.
The city offers abundant parks and recreational opportunities, contributing to a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Kingsport's job growth, while positive, is heavily reliant on a few sectors like healthcare, which could pose challenges if those sectors slow down nationally.
Despite overall safety, some areas of Kingsport have higher crime rates than others.
The city's unemployment rate is 5.3%, which is higher than the national average.
Kingsport has a notable poverty rate, with 15.7% of families living in poverty.
Public transit services, while available, are not as highly rated as ease of travel by car.
Memphis
Advantages
Memphis boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, particularly renowned for its rich musical heritage and diverse culinary offerings.
Utility rates in Memphis are among the lowest in the United States, contributing to overall affordability.
The rental market exhibits strong demand and low vacancy rates, indicating a stable environment for property owners and investors.
Memphis has seen significant reductions in overall and violent crime rates in 2025, with homicides declining by 26%.
Drawbacks
Memphis has experienced a consistent population decline in recent years, with a projected negative growth rate.
The city has a very high violent crime rate, significantly above the national average, despite recent reductions.
Despite low utility rates, a high energy burden disproportionately affects low-income households.
Memphis is a car-dependent city with low walkability and minimal public transit options.
Tennessee, as a state, ranks low in overall healthcare quality, which may reflect on city-level access and outcomes.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kingsport
#62Tennessee, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
69
Business
0
Memphis
#96Tennessee, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
55
Business
62
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