Cost of Living in Macon County, Tennessee
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Macon County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Macon County ranks #1,411 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 45%)
Sourced county brief
Macon County Renter Median Income Estimated at $45,401
The median renter-household income in Macon County was estimated at $45,401 according to the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI), per ACS table B25071, is 25.7%. This figure is 1.2 percentage points lower than the Tennessee unweighted county mean of 26.9%. The median gross rent was $846 per month, while the state unweighted county mean was $893. For owner-occupied housing, the median home value is $225,700, which is $2,315 above the state unweighted county mean of $223,385. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied households were recorded at $809, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $788. These metrics provide a snapshot of the housing landscape in Macon County based on official U.S. Census Bureau data. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Macon County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 25.7% of renter household income in Macon County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $846 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $809. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $33,840 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Tennessee unweighted mean of county median rents is $893 per month. Macon County's $846 median is 5.2% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Macon County
Rent Burden
17.2%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,381
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.4%
of gross income
The median home in Macon County may be a stretch
Median home value is $225,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,802 vs. your max of $1,381.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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