Tennessee · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Unicoi County, TN

The median household in Unicoi County, TN earns $52,218 a year ($4,352/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

$52,218$4,352 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 Population17,756Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Unicoi County, 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 income26%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$45,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,305At 30% of $52,218
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Unicoi County, 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 Unicoi County, TN
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$887$10,644$35,48020.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$893$10,716$35,72020.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,132$13,584$45,28026%
3-Bedroom Home$1,398$16,776$55,92032.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,548$18,576$61,92035.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Unicoi County, TN →

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

Based on the local median household income of $52,218/year ($4,352/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,176/moRent ($1,132 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,305/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 87.9 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$870/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.

$52,218
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$52,218
Net 85%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$44,137After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,678Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,698Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,086 / yr
Tennessee state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,995 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Unicoi County, TN

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Unicoi County, TN is $52,218 per year (approximately $4,352 per month).

What is the average rent in Unicoi County, TN?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Unicoi County, 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 Unicoi County, TN compare to the national average?

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,132/month) in Unicoi County, 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 Unicoi County, TN?

For a typical household earning the median income of $52,218/year ($4,352/month) in Unicoi County, TN, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,176/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,305/month to discretionary spending, and $870/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Unicoi 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.