1st Advantage MortgageIn Bristol city, Virginia, the typical household earns $50,404 a year and the typical rent is $801. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Virginia before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Bristol city
- What it costs to live in Bristol city
- How much Bristol city households make
- How Bristol city residents earn a living
- How Bristol city compares with nearby counties
- Bristol city towns compared
- More Bristol city figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Bristol city
- Budget math at the Bristol city median
- Licensing and complaints for Bristol city
- Four steps for Bristol city borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Bristol city
Bristol city is home to about 16,849 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 88th most populous of 133 county-level areas in Virginia. It covers 13 square miles of land, or about 1,309 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 1 Census place inside Bristol city, Bristol leads by population with about 16,849.
What it costs to live in Bristol city
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $801 in Bristol city versus $1,579 statewide. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. Home values center on $184,100, or 3.7 years of median income. Owners occupy 64% of homes.
| Measure | Bristol city | Virginia | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $801/mo | $1,579/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $184,100 | $383,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.6% | 4.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 9% | n/a |
How much Bristol city households make
Half of Bristol city households take in less than $50,404 a year and half take in more, 46% below the Virginia median of $93,170. Only 119 Virginia counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Bristol city | +/- vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.1% | +17.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.5% | +6.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.0% | -8.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.4% | -15.3 pts |
The spread is wide: 23% of Bristol city households make $100,000 or more, and 35% make less than $35,000. Census counts 18.0% of Bristol city residents in poverty, against 9.9% across Virginia. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.465 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Bristol city application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Bristol city residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Bristol city residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by manufacturing (15%). The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 15% locally and 7% for Virginia. Averaged over the five survey years, 6.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 5% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Bristol city workers | vs Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.1% | -1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.5% | +8.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.4% | +4.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.0% | +4.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.6% | -5.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.5% | +0.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Bristol city should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How Bristol city compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (11 to 26 miles). Income ranges from $46,349 in Scott County to $64,552 in Washington County; 3 of these neighbors top Bristol city's median. Some neighbors are in Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Bristol city resident follows Virginia rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol city | - | $50,404 | $801/mo | 64% |
| Sullivan County, TN | 11 mi | $58,807 | $889/mo | 72% |
| Washington County, VA | 15 mi | $64,552 | $854/mo | 76% |
| Johnson County, TN | 20 mi | $53,129 | $674/mo | 77% |
| Russell County, VA | 22 mi | $50,012 | $653/mo | 76% |
| Carter County, TN | 23 mi | $50,135 | $739/mo | 75% |
| Scott County, VA | 26 mi | $46,349 | $699/mo | 77% |
Bristol city towns compared
Just one Census place, Bristol, lies mainly within Bristol city; it holds about 16,849 people. Bristol has no separate guide, so this county page serves it.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | city | 16,849 | $50,404 | $801 | 0 mi |
More Bristol city figures
Degree holders: 25% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 11.0%, against 6.9% for Virginia.
| People and households | Bristol city | Virginia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.8% | 42.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.7% | 8.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.0% | 6.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.7% | 6.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.6% | 18.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.0% | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.3% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.5% |
| 60+ min | 2.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Bristol city
Based on the Bristol city data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Budget math at the Bristol city median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Bristol city's medians:
- Start: $4,200 gross per month ($50,404 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $801 uses 19%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $711 left for all other debt payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,005 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Bristol city land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Licensing and complaints for Bristol city
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Virginia license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Virginia guide.
Four steps for Bristol city borrowers
Quick steps for Bristol city:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Bristol city.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Bristol city-area credit union.
- A Virginia license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
The Virginia guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Bristol city household make?
About $50,404 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 46% below the Virginia median.
What do renters pay in Bristol city?
$801 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
I live in a small Bristol city town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Bristol.
Will a Bristol city address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Virginia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Bristol city?
Start with the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.