Tennessee · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Grainger County, TN

The median household in Grainger County, TN earns $50,538 a year ($4,212/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $941/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $37,640 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.4% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$50,538$4,212 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$941HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.6-7.4% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential TN
Census Population24,266Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$941Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,263At 30% of $50,538
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Grainger County, TN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Grainger County, TN HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 Grainger County, TN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$712$8,544$28,48016.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$717$8,604$28,68017%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$941$11,292$37,64022.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,241$14,892$49,64029.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,246$14,952$49,84029.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Grainger County, TN →

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

Based on the local median household income of $50,538/year ($4,212/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,106/moRent ($941 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,263/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.6 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$842/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.

$50,538
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,538
Net 85%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,787After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,566Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,646Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,885 / yr
Tennessee state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,866 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Grainger County, TN

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Grainger County, TN is $50,538 per year (approximately $4,212 per month).

What is the average rent in Grainger County, TN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Grainger County, TN are $712 for a studio, $717 for 1 bedroom, $941 for 2 bedrooms, $1,241 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,246 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Grainger County, TN is 92.6 (7.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($941/month) in Grainger County, TN requires a minimum gross household income of $37,640 per year ($3,137 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $50,538/year ($4,212/month) in Grainger County, TN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,106/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,263/month to discretionary spending, and $842/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Grainger 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.