Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$74,222$6,185 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Knox County, TN
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Knox County, TN
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Knoxville, 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.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,177 | $14,124 | $47,080 | 19% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,184 | $14,208 | $47,360 | 19.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,471 | $17,652 | $58,840 | 23.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,864 | $22,368 | $74,560 | 30.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,172 | $26,064 | $86,880 | 35.1% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Knox County, TN
Based on the local median household income of $74,222/year ($6,185/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Tennessee with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Knox County, TN
What is the median household income in Knox County, TN?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Knox County, TN is $74,222 per year (approximately $6,185 per month).
What is the average rent in Knox County, TN?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Knox County, TN are $1,177 for a studio, $1,184 for 1 bedroom, $1,471 for 2 bedrooms, $1,864 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,172 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Knox County, TN compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Knox 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 Knox County, TN?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,471/month) in Knox County, TN requires a minimum gross household income of $58,840 per year ($4,903 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Knox County, TN?
For a typical household earning the median income of $74,222/year ($6,185/month) in Knox County, TN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,093/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,856/month to discretionary spending, and $1,237/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Knox 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.