Cost of Living in Monroe 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 Monroe County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Monroe County ranks #453 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 14%)
Sourced county brief
Monroe County Median Gross Rent as Percentage of Income Reaches 30.9%
In Monroe County, Tennessee, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was estimated at 30.9% during the 2020-2024 American Community Survey period. This official B25071 figure is 4.0 percentage points higher than the Tennessee unweighted county mean of 26.9%. The median gross rent in the county was $714 per month, which is below the Tennessee unweighted county mean of $893. For owner-occupied housing, the median selected monthly owner costs were $649, while the statewide unweighted county mean was $788. Additionally, the median home value in Monroe County was $227,500, which is above the Tennessee unweighted county mean of $223,385. The median renter-household income for the area was $27,426. These statistics provide a snapshot of the housing environment for both renters and homeowners without incorporating market predictions or household demographics. 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: Monroe County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 30.9% of renter household income in Monroe County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $714 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $649. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $28,560 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. Monroe County's $714 median is 20.0% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Monroe County
Rent Burden
15.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,328
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.7%
of gross income
The median home in Monroe County may be a stretch
Median home value is $227,500. Estimated monthly cost: $1,816 vs. your max of $1,328.
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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