Tennessee · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Johnson City, TN

The median household in Johnson City, TN earns $57,254 a year ($4,771/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,132/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $45,280 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 12.1% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$57,254$4,771 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,132HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)87.9-12.1% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential TN
Census Population72,222Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Johnson City, TN

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,132Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$45,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,431At 30% of $57,254
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Johnson City, TN

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Johnson City, 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 Johnson City, TN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$887$10,644$35,48018.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$893$10,716$35,72018.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,132$13,584$45,28023.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,398$16,776$55,92029.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,548$18,576$61,92032.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Johnson City, TN →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Johnson City, TN

Based on the local median household income of $57,254/year ($4,771/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,386/moRent ($1,132 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,431/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 87.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$954/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.

$57,254
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$57,254
Net 84%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$48,184After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,015Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,853Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,690 / yr
Tennessee state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,380 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Johnson City, TN

What is the median household income in Johnson City, TN?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Johnson City, TN is $57,254 per year (approximately $4,771 per month).

What is the average rent in Johnson City, TN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Johnson City, TN are $887 for a studio, $893 for 1 bedroom, $1,132 for 2 bedrooms, $1,398 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,548 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Johnson City, TN is 87.9 (12.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,132/month) in Johnson City, TN requires a minimum gross household income of $45,280 per year ($3,773 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $57,254/year ($4,771/month) in Johnson City, TN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,386/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,431/month to discretionary spending, and $954/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Johnson City, 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.