Kingsport Spirit

When I meet someone from out of state considering a move to Tennessee, I often find myself helping them organize their thoughts. They know their home state well but don’t always understand how it compares to Tennessee.

Just as I’ve learned where Brentwood, Melville, Farmingdale, Greenwich, Morristown, and Bridgewater fit into the 22-million-person New York City metro, for example, I try to help them make sense of Tennessee’s cities and metro areas.

Most of them are looking to escape the stress of big-city life and settle somewhere smaller and more relaxed. But how small?

To put things in perspective, Nashville, with a metro population of 2.35 million, is large for Tennessee—but likely much smaller than the city they’re leaving. After all, Tennessee’s entire population (7.35 million) is only one-third the size of New York City’s metro and 40% of Los Angeles’. For a Southern reference, Tennessee’s entire population is roughly equivalent to Atlanta’s.

As we talk, airport access always comes up. They often tell me that in their current city, it takes 90 minutes to drive just 30 miles—but in Tennessee, that same drive time can take you 90 miles. With five commercial airports (Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Tri-Cities), most of the state is well-covered.

Then I ask: How often do you actually fly? Most say a few times per year.

So, does it make sense to move to a large metro just for airport access? Maybe. Maybe not.

Logistics Matter More Than Size

The real question becomes: How easily can you get to the airport when you need to?

Take Nashville, for example. Its airport is on the east side of the city, meaning most people approaching from the south or west have to navigate congestion to get there. Knoxville’s airport is on the southwest side, so anyone living north or east has to deal with urban traffic.

Meanwhile, Tri-Cities Airport sits conveniently in the center of Northeast Tennessee, with easy interstate access from all directions.

Sure, there are trade-offs. Larger airports have more direct flights and lower fares, but they also come with headaches—traffic, parking, and long security lines. At TRI, you can leave your house, park, and clear security in about 20 minutes.

The Right-Sized Metro

Looking at metros with similar populations to ours, Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA feels like a great fit.

A quick conversation with A/I reveals metro areas that share common traits—scenic surroundings, affordability, and a relaxed pace of life. The people drawn to these places tend to be outdoor enthusiasts, military families, young professionals, families, and retirees.

Comparable Metros to Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA (Pop. 598,800)

✅ Charleston, SC (pop. 849,417) – Historic charm, world-class food, and a coastal lifestyle.
✅ Colorado Springs, CO (pop. 768,832) – Mountain scenery, military presence, and an affordable alternative to Denver.
✅ Asheville, NC (pop. 513,720) – Artsy community surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains.
✅ Portland, ME (pop. 680,094) – Coastal beauty, a thriving local economy, and a high quality of life.
✅ Reno-Carson City, NV-CA (pop. 699,307) – Lake Tahoe vibes and California proximity without California costs.
✅ Wilmington, NC (pop. 467,377) – A coastal city with historic charm and beachside living.
✅ Myrtle Beach, SC (pop. 463,209) – A major tourism hub with a relaxed beach lifestyle.
✅ Savannah, GA (pop. 640,193) – Historic architecture, a vibrant arts scene, and coastal living.
✅ Huntsville, AL-TN (pop. 895,383) – A booming tech and aerospace hub with a low cost of living.
✅ Lexington, KY (pop. 770,951) – A university town with rolling horse country charm.
✅ Lancaster, PA (pop. 558,589) – Small-town feel with proximity to Philadelphia.
✅ Palm Bay-Melbourne, FL (pop. 643,979) – Florida’s Space Coast with beach access and hurricane risk.
✅ Pensacola, FL (pop. 530,090) – A Gulf Coast military hub with a laid-back lifestyle.
✅ Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR (pop. 590,377) – Nestled in the Ozarks, with Walmart HQ and University of Arkansas culture.

Final Thoughts

When I consider where Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA fits in the broader landscape of U.S. metros, it just feels right. It’s large enough to have what you need but small enough to keep life manageable.

For those looking to relocate, the key is finding the balance that works for them—just like Goldilocks’ porridge—not too big, not too small, but just right.

There’s an old motto: “Keep Asheville Weird”, like Austin, TX, or Burlington, VT. Asheville is a great community no doubt, but maybe you’d like to visit “the weird”, not live there 24/7/365. If so, Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA is a comparable alternative.