Tennessee · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Cocke County, TN

The median household in Cocke County, TN earns $48,016 a year ($4,001/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

$48,016$4,001 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 Population36,813Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Cocke 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 income23.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,000To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,200At 30% of $48,016
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Cocke County, TN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Cocke 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 Cocke County, TN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$643$7,716$25,72016.1%
1-Bedroom Apartment$742$8,904$29,68018.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$925$11,100$37,00023.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,209$14,508$48,36030.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,225$14,700$49,00030.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Cocke County, TN →

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

Based on the local median household income of $48,016/year ($4,001/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,001/moRent ($925 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,200/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$800/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.

$48,016
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,016
Net 85%
Fed 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,761After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,397Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,568Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,582 / yr
Tennessee state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,673 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Cocke County, TN

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Cocke County, TN is $48,016 per year (approximately $4,001 per month).

What is the average rent in Cocke County, TN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Cocke County, TN are $643 for a studio, $742 for 1 bedroom, $925 for 2 bedrooms, $1,209 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,225 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Cocke 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 Cocke County, TN?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($925/month) in Cocke 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 Cocke County, TN?

For a typical household earning the median income of $48,016/year ($4,001/month) in Cocke County, TN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,001/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,200/month to discretionary spending, and $800/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Cocke 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.