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Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA

Cost of living in Sullivan County, TN

Part of the Kingsport Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,626/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 159,693 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $824 31%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $439 17%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $317 12%
Energy $191 7%
Water $55 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Sullivan County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$738
per month
1 bedroom
$824
per month
2 bedroom
$1,043
per month
3 bedroom
$1,343
per month
4 bedroom
$1,538
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Sullivan County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$56,802
per year
Individual earnings
$36,904
per year
Per capita
$35,143
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Sullivan County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$190,800
Annual property tax
$1,205

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Sullivan County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 13.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$44
per month
Annual total
$2,292
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Sullivan County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Sullivan County

State and local tax rates for Tennessee.

No state income tax
Tennessee does not levy a personal income tax.
State sales tax
7.0%
Combined sales tax
9.6%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Sullivan County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.7 min
Drive alone
81.7%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
9.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Sullivan County

What it costs to live in Sullivan County each month.

Single person
$2,626
per month
  • Rent $824
  • Energy $191
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $317
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $439
  • State tax $0
Couple
$3,745
per month
  • Rent $1,043
  • Energy $229
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $525
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $599
  • State tax $0
Family
$6,170
per month
  • Rent $1,343
  • Energy $286
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $797
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $599
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Sullivan County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Sullivan County?

In Sullivan County, TN, a one-bedroom apartment averages $824 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,043 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,343 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Sullivan County?

In Sullivan County, TN, the average household income is $56,802 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,904 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Sullivan County?

The estimated cost of living in Sullivan County, TN is approximately $2,626 per month for a single person, $3,745 for a couple, $6,170 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Sullivan County?

The combined sales tax rate in Sullivan County, TN is 9.55%, which includes the Tennessee state rate of 7.00% plus an average local rate of 2.55%.

Is Sullivan County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Sullivan County, TN would need approximately $2,626 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $56,802 per year ($4,734 per month). Sullivan County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Sullivan County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Sullivan County, TN is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Sullivan County?

The average home value in Sullivan County, TN is $190,800, with average annual property taxes of $1,205, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Sullivan County compare to other areas?

You can compare Sullivan County, TN with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Sullivan County is in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area.

Other counties in Tennessee

Browse the full list of counties in Tennessee, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Tennessee

Compare Sullivan County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources