Athens, TN vs Bristol, TN

Bristol is moderately more affordable than Athens, with a 7.3% lower cost of living index. Athens scores 73 compared to 68 for Bristol, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Athens can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Athens is $807/month compared to $764/month in Bristol — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bristol is more affordable at $182,500 median vs $197,300.

Median household income in Athens is $53,151 compared to $55,007 in Bristol (-3.4%). Bristol offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Athens spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Bristol.