Tennessee · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Rutherford County, TN

Prices around Rutherford County, TN run 3.7% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $85,470 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,730 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $69,200 a year.

Rutherford County, TN at a glance

Median household income

$85,470$7,123 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,730HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)96.3-3.7% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential TN
Population360,646Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Rutherford County, TN?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,730Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$69,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,137At 30% of $85,470
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Rutherford County, TN? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Rutherford County, TN, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,507$18,084$60,28021.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,578$18,936$63,12022.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,730$20,760$69,20024.3%
3-Bedroom Home$2,211$26,532$88,44031%
4-Bedroom Home$2,696$32,352$107,84037.9%

Rent in Rutherford County, TN, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Rutherford County, TN

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $85,470 a year ($7,123 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,561/moRent ($1,730 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,137/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,425/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $85,470 leaves after Tennessee taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Tennessee tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$85,470
$30,000$175,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$85,470
Net 81%
Fed 12%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$68,958After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,747Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,652Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,973 / yr
Tennessee state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,538 / yr

Living in Rutherford County, TN: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Rutherford County, TN is $85,470 per year (approximately $7,123 per month).

What is the average rent in Rutherford County, TN?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,507 for a studio, $1,578 for one bedroom, $1,730 for two, $2,211 for three and $2,696 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Rutherford County, TN expensive to live in?

Prices there run 3.7% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 96.3, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Rutherford County, TN?

To keep a $1,730 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $69,200 a year, or $5,767 a month. That is 81% of what the typical household in Rutherford County, TN earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Rutherford County, TN?

On the local median income of $85,470 ($7,123 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,561 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,137 for everything else and $1,425 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,730 takes 49% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Rutherford County, TN?

Homes in Tennessee paid 14.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $127. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.