At $1,695/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,695 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Alcoa changed +2.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 51 Tennessee cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.0%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($65,714) is $1,643 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,510); a 3-bedroom is $1,940.
Kingston, 28 miles away, rents for 20% less ($1,356/mo), about $4,100 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Alcoa. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Alcoa, TN has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Alcoa on your salary?
At $1,695/mo, how Alcoa rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Alcoa rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Alcoa. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Alcoa
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Alcoa is $1,695/mo as of October 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 2.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Alcoa?
How does Alcoa rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?
At $1,695/mo, rent takes ~31% of Alcoa's median household income ($65,714/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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