Bristol

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Bristol, VA Area Guide

Stand in two states, enjoy one music-filled city

Location History Music Small Town

Straddling the Virginia-Tennessee state line, Bristol offers a unique living experience where residents can literally stand in two states at once on historic State Street, the city's vibrant main thoroughfare. Known officially as the "Birthplace of Country Music," this charming city provides renters with diverse housing options from historic downtown residences to modern apartment communities throughout the area. The downtown district features beautifully restored historic buildings, creating an inviting atmosphere. Popular neighborhoods include the historic Solar Hill district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nature enthusiasts appreciate Bristol's scenic surroundings, with the city offering numerous parks and green spaces perfect for outdoor recreation. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum celebrates the city's pivotal role in shaping American music history, particularly the historic 1927 Bristol Sessions, where legendary acts like the Carter Family first recorded their sounds. The downtown area buzzes with activity, featuring local shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Sports fans enjoy easy access to Bristol Motor Speedway, nicknamed the "world's fastest half mile," just across the state line in Tennessee. The city's strategic location along Interstate 81 provides convenient access to larger cities like Roanoke, Virginia, and Knoxville, Tennessee, while maintaining its own distinct small-city charm.

Rent Trends

As of March 2026, the average apartment rent in Bristol, VA is $728 for one bedroom, $1,207 for two bedrooms, and $1,008 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bristol has increased by 5.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$728/month
661 Sq Ft
House
$1,782/month
1,765 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,190/month
703 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Bristol, VA

Getting Around

Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Bristol, VA is for everyday living.

Car-Dependent

46 / 100

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

Somewhat Bikeable

28 / 100

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

High Point Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Valley Institute Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Joseph Van Pelt Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Stonewall Jackson Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Highland View Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

Wallace Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

Virginia Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

John S. Battle High

Public

Grades 9-12

Virginia High

Public

Grades 9-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Steele Creek Park
  • Steele Creek Park Nature Center
  • Bristol Caverns

Airports

  • Tri-Cities

Top Apartments in Bristol

Houses for Rent in Bristol

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.