Tennessee · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Cleveland, TN

The median household in Cleveland, TN earns $58,559 a year ($4,880/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,233/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $49,320 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 11.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$58,559$4,880 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,233HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)88.1-11.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential TN
Census Population48,829Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Cleveland, TN

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,233Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$49,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,464At 30% of $58,559
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Cleveland, TN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Cleveland, TN MSA. 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 Cleveland, TN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$850$10,200$34,00017.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$940$11,280$37,60019.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,233$14,796$49,32025.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,584$19,008$63,36032.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,633$19,596$65,32033.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Cleveland, TN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Cleveland, TN

Based on the local median household income of $58,559/year ($4,880/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,440/moRent ($1,233 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,464/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 88.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$976/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.

$58,559
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$58,559
Net 84%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,232After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,103Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,894Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,847 / yr
Tennessee state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,480 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Cleveland, TN

What is the median household income in Cleveland, TN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Cleveland, TN is $58,559 per year (approximately $4,880 per month).

What is the average rent in Cleveland, TN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Cleveland, TN are $850 for a studio, $940 for 1 bedroom, $1,233 for 2 bedrooms, $1,584 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,633 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Cleveland, TN is 88.1 (11.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,233/month) in Cleveland, TN requires a minimum gross household income of $49,320 per year ($4,110 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $58,559/year ($4,880/month) in Cleveland, TN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,440/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,464/month to discretionary spending, and $976/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Cleveland, 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.