Arlington, TN vs Bristol, TN

The cost of living difference between Arlington, TN and Bristol, TN is dramatic. Bristol is 83.2% cheaper than Arlington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arlington has a cost index of 124 while Bristol sits at 68, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $2,046/month compared to $764/month in Bristol — a 168% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bristol is more affordable at $182,500 median vs $367,700.

Median household income in Arlington is $125,909 compared to $55,007 in Bristol (+128.9%). While Arlington is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Bristol.