Cost of Living in Madison County, Tennessee

$1,076/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$189,700

Median Home Value

25% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$1,076/mo

25% above state average

Median Home Value

$189,700

33% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

33.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Madison County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Madison County$1,076/mo

Tennessee Average$860/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$1,076/mo

Median Gross Rent

$189,700

Median Home Value

$913/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

33.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Madison County, Tennessee

Madison's rental burden significantly exceeds peers

At 22.2% of income spent on rent, Madison County residents face a notably heavy housing burden—well above both the national average and Tennessee's 17.6% state benchmark. The median income of $58,189 combined with the state's highest sample rent of $1,076 monthly creates genuine affordability pressure for renters.

Least affordable county in Tennessee sample

Madison ranks last in affordability among these eight counties, with a rent-to-income ratio of 22.2% that exceeds the state average by 4.6 percentage points. This disparity suggests housing demand or supply constraints pushing rents higher than regional norms.

Rents spike despite modest home values

Madison's $1,076 monthly rent—$81 higher than Loudon's despite lower median income—paired with a modest median home value of $189,700 creates an unusual market dynamic. This suggests strong rental demand but weaker ownership fundamentals, likely reflecting proximity to employment centers or housing shortage.

Renters squeezed more than homeowners

Renters bear a 22.2% housing burden at $1,076 monthly, while homeowners pay only 15.8% at $913—a stark 6.4 percentage point gap favoring ownership. This disparity suggests Madison's rental shortage creates inflated rents while property ownership remains moderately priced.

Consider homeownership if Madison calls

Madison County's high rents make it the least affordable for renters in this sample, but homeownership offers relief with much lower monthly burdens. If relocating to Madison, budget aggressively for rent or prioritize saving for a down payment to unlock the ownership advantage.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Madison County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

22.2%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,358

per month

Owner Cost Burden

18.8%

of gross income

The median home in Madison County may be a stretch

Median home value is $189,700. Estimated monthly cost: $1,514 vs. your max of $1,358.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio22.2%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Madison County, Tennessee?

Madison County, Tennessee has a median monthly rent of $1,076/mo and a median home value of $189,700. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 33.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Madison County?

The median gross rent in Madison County is $1,076/mo. This is 25% above state average for Tennessee.

Is Madison County affordable?

Madison County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 33.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Madison County's rent compare to the state average?

Madison County's median rent of $1,076/mo is 25% above state average of $860/mo for Tennessee.

What is the median home value in Madison County?

The median home value in Madison County, Tennessee is $189,700. This is 33% below the national median home value of $281,900.