Rent in Knox County, TN at a glance
2-bedroom rent (HUD)
$1,471$17,652 a year · HUD fiscal year 2026From October 1, 2026: $1,475 (+0.3%)How much rent can you afford in Knox County, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
Rent in Knox County, TN by bedroom, and the pay it takes
Income needed keeps rent at 30% of gross pay; the hourly figure assumes one full-time job, 2,080 hours a year.
| Size | A month | A year | Income needed | Hourly wage needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,177 | $14,124 | $47,080 | $22.63/hr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,184 | $14,208 | $47,360 | $22.77/hr |
| 2 bedroomsMost searched | $1,471 | $17,652 | $58,840 | $28.29/hr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,864 | $22,368 | $74,560 | $35.85/hr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,172 | $26,064 | $86,880 | $41.77/hr |
Cost of living in Knox County, TN: income, prices and a budget →
Living and working in Knox County, TN
Rent in Knox County, TN: common questions
How much is rent going up in Knox County, TN in 2027?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for fiscal 2027, which takes effect October 1, 2026, is $1,475 for a two-bedroom, up 0.3% from $1,471. A one-bedroom goes from $1,184 to $1,178, a studio from $1,177 to $1,171.
These are HUD's estimates of what a typical recently rented unit costs, used for housing vouchers. A landlord's increase on your lease follows your lease and your state's rules, not this figure.
What is the average rent in Knox County, TN?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026 is $1,184 for a one-bedroom and $1,471 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. That is $17,652 a year for the two-bedroom.
It is not an average of current listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so asking rents on newer places usually run higher.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Knox County, TN?
To keep a $1,471 two-bedroom at 30% of gross pay, one full-time worker needs $28.29 an hour, or $58,840 a year. A one-bedroom at $1,184 takes $22.77 an hour.
How much is a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartment in Knox County, TN?
At HUD's 2026 Fair Market Rent: studio $1,177, one bedroom $1,184, two $1,471, three $1,864 and four $2,172 a month.
Is rent affordable in Knox County, TN?
For the typical household, earning $74,222 a year ($6,185 a month, Census ACS), a two-bedroom at $1,471 takes 23.8% of income. Under 30% is the usual line for affordable; this is under it.
How is the income needed for rent worked out?
Rent for a year divided by 0.30, the share of gross income HUD treats as affordable: ($1,471 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $58,840. Divided by 2,080 working hours, that is $28.29 an hour.