Tennessee · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Carroll County, TN

The median household in Carroll County, TN earns $51,787 a year ($4,316/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $925/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $37,000 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 8.1% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$51,787$4,316 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$925HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.9-8.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential TN
Census Population28,641Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Carroll County, TN

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$925Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,000To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,295At 30% of $51,787
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Carroll County, TN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Carroll County, TN. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Carroll County, TN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$724$8,688$28,96016.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$746$8,952$29,84017.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$925$11,100$37,00021.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,151$13,812$46,04026.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,480$17,760$59,20034.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Carroll County, TN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Carroll County, TN

Based on the local median household income of $51,787/year ($4,316/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,158/moRent ($925 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,295/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$863/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Tennessee

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Tennessee state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$51,787
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$51,787
Net 85%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,791After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,649Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,684Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,034 / yr
Tennessee state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,962 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Tennessee with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Carroll County, TN

What is the median household income in Carroll County, TN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Carroll County, TN is $51,787 per year (approximately $4,316 per month).

What is the average rent in Carroll County, TN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Carroll County, TN are $724 for a studio, $746 for 1 bedroom, $925 for 2 bedrooms, $1,151 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,480 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Carroll County, TN compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Carroll County, TN is 91.9 (8.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Carroll County, TN?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($925/month) in Carroll County, TN requires a minimum gross household income of $37,000 per year ($3,083 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Carroll County, TN?

For a typical household earning the median income of $51,787/year ($4,316/month) in Carroll County, TN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,158/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,295/month to discretionary spending, and $863/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Carroll County, TN?

Residential electricity rates in Tennessee average 14.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $127 per month.