CountyScore

Bristol city

Virginia · VA

#52 in Virginia
72.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Bristol city, Virginia

Bristol surpasses national baseline by 45%

Bristol City's composite score of 72.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 45%, showing competitive livability despite economic headwinds. The city's strength lies in housing affordability and tax efficiency rather than wage opportunities.

Slight edge over Virginia average

Bristol's 72.4 score inches ahead of Virginia's state average of 70.3, making it a marginally above-average livability option statewide. The city ranks in the middle tier of Virginia's competitive livability spectrum.

Affordable urban living with low taxes

Bristol combines a cost score of 81.2 with median rent of $775/month and home values around $168,700, offering urban affordability. A tax score of 80.7 provides reasonable tax relief for city dwellers.

Weakest income profile in the group

Bristol's income score of 12.6 and median household income of just $44,706 rank lowest among these eight counties, signaling limited local job quality and earning potential. Data on schools, health, safety, and environment remain incomplete.

Urban option for cost-conscious residents

Bristol City suits retirees, service workers, and those seeking affordable urban living with modest tax burden but limited wage growth. It's a city-living alternative for those who can't match its income expectations.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax80.7Cost81.2SafetyComing SoonHealth65SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.6Risk91.4WaterComing Soon
🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡91.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Bristol city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chilton County
Alabama
72.2
Median income: $61,873
Baker County
Florida
72.2
Median income: $70,833
Dade County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $58,936
Oconee County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $115,925
Dearborn County
Indiana
72.2
Median income: $82,693

Deep Dives

Bristol city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bristol city

via TaxByCounty

Bristol's taxes highest in region

At 0.767%, Bristol city has the highest effective tax rate among the eight counties analyzed and exceeds the national median of 0.96%. The median property tax of $1,294 reflects the combination of high rates and lower home values.

Bristol well above Virginia average

Bristol's 0.767% rate is notably higher than Virginia's state average of 0.671%, ranking in the upper tier of state localities. The median tax of $1,294 is about 34% below the state median of $1,960.

Steepest effective rate in the region

Bristol's 0.767% rate substantially exceeds every other county analyzed, including Botetourt (0.655%) and Bland (0.552%). On a median home value of $168,700, Bristol residents face the highest effective tax burden in this eight-county comparison.

What homeowners pay annually

On Bristol's median home value of $168,700, the typical annual property tax bill is $1,294. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,315, while those owning outright pay $1,252.

Assessment appeals matter more here

With the region's highest effective tax rate, Bristol homeowners should prioritize reviewing their assessments for accuracy. Even a 10% assessment reduction could save several hundred dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bristol city

via CostByCounty

Bristol's housing affordability challenge

Bristol city's rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% exceeds the 30% affordability ceiling and significantly outpaces the national norm. With a median income of only $44,706—40% below the national average—Bristol renters face genuine housing stress despite below-average nominal rent of $775.

Struggling among Virginia's housing markets

Bristol's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Virginia's worst, topping the state average of 18.6% by over two percentage points. The city's median income of $44,706 is the lowest in this analysis, making even modest rents like $775 feel burdensome for working households.

Weakest income in the southwest

Bristol's median income of $44,706 trails rural neighbors Bland ($61,375), Buchanan ($42,216), and Brunswick ($52,978) significantly, creating outsized rent burden. Though rents are modest at $775, the low local wages mean housing consumes a larger share of household budgets than in wealthier regions.

Low wages, tight housing budgets

Renters pay $775 monthly (20.8% of income) while homeowners pay $879 (23.6% of income), both exceeding the comfortable 15% threshold. With median income at just $44,706 and median home value at $168,700, Bristol households are stretched thin balancing housing costs against other living expenses.

Bristol: requires careful financial planning

Bristol city's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio and median income of $44,706 signal genuine affordability challenges for renters and buyers. If considering relocation here, prioritize securing employment with wages significantly above the local median—otherwise, housing will consume an outsized portion of your budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bristol city

via IncomeByCounty

Bristol faces significant national income shortfall

Bristol city's median household income of $44,706 falls roughly $30,000 short of the national median of $74,755. This is the lowest income among the eight studied Virginia communities and reflects deep economic stress.

Lowest earner among Virginia communities

At $44,706, Bristol's median household income trails Virginia's state average of $74,957 by nearly 40%. Bristol ranks among the lowest-income places in the Commonwealth, signaling urgent need for economic revitalization.

Economic isolation in Southwest Virginia

Bristol ($44,706) earns dramatically less than nearby rural counties like Bland ($61,375) and Bath ($61,709), indicating city-specific economic decline. The disparity suggests that regional growth has bypassed Bristol's core, concentrating poverty in the urban center.

Housing costs consume Bristol household budgets

Bristol's rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% is the highest among these eight counties, leaving less room for savings or basic needs. With a median home value of $168,700, even this lower price point stretches household resources, limiting wealth-building options.

Build resilience through conservative planning

Bristol residents face real affordability pressures that require disciplined budgeting and outside support. Seek local nonprofit financial coaching, explore low-cost banking options, and prioritize emergency savings—even small amounts—to build a financial safety net.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bristol city

via HealthByCounty

Bristol faces alarming life expectancy crisis

Bristol city's life expectancy of 71.7 years trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 4.7 years—a dramatic 6% shortfall. Over 1 in 5 residents (21.2%) report poor or fair health, signaling widespread health challenges across the population.

Among Virginia's lowest life expectancies

Bristol city's 71.7-year life expectancy falls 3.4 years below Virginia's 75.1-year average, ranking it among the state's most struggling communities. This gap reflects systemic barriers to health and wellness that require urgent attention.

Lowest life expectancy in Appalachian peer group

Bristol city's 71.7-year life expectancy significantly lags nearby mountain counties like Buchanan (69.4 years—lower still)—but is substantially worse than Augusta (78.0 years). The city does have strong mental health provider capacity at 137 per 100,000 residents, though 65 primary care providers per 100,000 may be insufficient for the community's needs.

Uninsured rates match state average

Bristol city's 7.9% uninsured rate matches Virginia's average, yet the underlying health crisis suggests that insurance alone is not solving access barriers. With 65 primary care providers per 100,000, capacity for preventive care may be constrained, contributing to the reliance on crisis mental health services.

Get covered and find primary care

If you're uninsured in Bristol, healthcare.gov is your first step to affordable coverage. Look for plans that include strong primary care networks—preventive medicine and routine check-ups are crucial to improving Bristol's health trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bristol city

via RiskByCounty

Bristol ranks among America's safest cities

Bristol's composite risk score of 8.62 places it in the lowest tier nationally, earning a 'Very Low' rating that dramatically underperforms the national average. This exceptional standing reflects the city's mountainous Appalachian location and distance from major hurricane and flood corridors. Few jurisdictions nationwide match Bristol's natural disaster protection.

Virginia's safest incorporated city

Bristol's score of 8.62 is less than 26% of Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it one of the state's most resilient communities overall. This distinction means residents enjoy substantially lower property risk and associated insurance costs compared to statewide residents. Bristol's protected position is genuinely distinctive in Virginia.

Bristol anchors the state's safest region

Bath County (5.38), Bland County (13.04), and Botetourt County (18.10) share Bristol's exceptional low-risk profile, creating a haven in southwestern Virginia. Augusta County (68.61) eastward and Buchanan County (50.60) nearby show substantially higher exposure. Bristol's pocket of protection is part of a regionally distinctive pattern.

Earthquake exposure tops a minimal profile

Bristol's highest risk category—earthquake at 59.54—remains below state average, while hurricane (33.17), flood (23.12), and tornado (16.51) exposures all score low. Wildfire risk (0.64) is negligible, nearly nonexistent. This represents one of Virginia's most balanced and thoroughly protective hazard profiles.

Basic homeowners insurance provides solid protection

Bristol's exceptional low-risk standing means standard homeowners insurance typically suffices without specialized riders or additional coverage. Confirm your policy limits reflect current home values and reconstruction costs, and review coverage annually as your property appreciates. Even in very safe areas, solid insurance fundamentals matter.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.