Athens, TN vs Kingston, TN

Athens, TN and Kingston, TN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Athens scores 73 while Kingston scores 70 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Athens is $807/month compared to $699/month in Kingston — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Kingston has cheaper rent, Athens actually has lower median home values ($197,300 vs $204,200).

Median household income in Athens is $53,151 compared to $70,532 in Kingston (-24.6%). Kingston 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 11.9% in Kingston.