City Report · TN

Alcoa

Pop. 12,222·22nd most expensive in Tennessee·Rental market data updated monthly for Alcoa, TN
Median rent (all units)
$1,716/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.9%
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
-$246
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Alcoa · $1,716
More affordable than 60% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,716/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$69,000/yr
Local median income
$65,714/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Alcoa's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,230
1 BR
$1,230
2 BR
$1,510
3 BR
$1,940
4 BR+
$2,280
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,510/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,716 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$20,592/yr
At $1,716/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.9% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Alcoa, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 34.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,222
Median income
$65,714
Median age
35.6
Renters
33.4%
Age distribution
22.2%
26.5%
20.9%
18.6%
Under 1822.2%
18–3426.5%
35–5420.9%
55–6411.8%
65+18.6%
Gender
50.7%
49.3%
Male50.7%
Female49.3%
Race & ethnicity
71.3%
White71.3%
Black11.9%
Hispanic10.6%
Asian1.5%
Other4.7%
Education (25+)
26.4%
30.1%
34.1%
No HS diploma9.4%
HS diploma26.4%
Some college30.1%
Bachelor's+34.1%
Housing tenure
66.6%
33.4%
Owner66.6%
Renter33.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Alcoa, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$55,440 → $65,714
up 18.5%
Population
10,777 → 12,222
up 13.4%
Renter share
37.7% → 33.4%
-4.3 pts
Bachelor's+
28.5% → 34.1%
+5.6 pts
Median age
36.4 → 35.6
-0.8 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Alcoa, TN now reports about $65,714, up from $55,440 in 2021. The population has grown by 13.4% since 2021, moving from about 10,777 residents to roughly 12,222. Renters now make up 33.4% of households, compared with 37.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 34.1% of adults here, versus 28.5% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Alcoa

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View Alcoa rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Alcoa on your salary?

At $1,716/mo, how Alcoa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Alcoa rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Alcoa. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Alcoa

About renting in Alcoa, TN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Alcoa is $1,716/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,230/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,510/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,230/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,940/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($65,714/yr), Alcoa ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Alcoa an affordable city for renters?

Alcoa is considered moderate for renters. At $1,716/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($65,714/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Alcoa slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Alcoa?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $69,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,716/mo in Alcoa. The local median household income is $65,714/yr, meaning the typical Alcoa household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Alcoa?

Rent in Alcoa has increased 1.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Alcoa rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Alcoa is middle-of-the-pack for Tennessee for rent, ranking #22 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,716/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Alcoa?

Lenoir City is nearby and more affordable at $1,691/mo, which is $25 less than Alcoa.

What percentage of Alcoa residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.4% of Alcoa households are renters, while 66.6% are owner-occupied. Alcoa leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Alcoa rent compare to the national average?

Alcoa's median rent of $1,716/mo is $246 (13%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #22 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,716/mo, rent takes ~31% of Alcoa's median household income ($65,714/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Alcoa 31%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Alcoa affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Alcoa, TN

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