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City Report · TN

Athens

Pop. 14,471·60th most expensive in Tennessee·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,083/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.3%
Month-over-Month
-0.2%
vs US Median
-$879
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Athens · $1,083
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,083/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$43,000/yr
Local median income
$53,929/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Athens's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$680
1 BR
$840
2 BR
$950
3 BR
$1,180
4 BR+
$1,260
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$950/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,083 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
$12,996/yr
At $1,083/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.3% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Athens, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 23.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
14,471
Median income
$53,929
Median age
39
Renters
40.1%
Age distribution
21.1%
25.5%
25.5%
17.9%
Under 1821.1%
18–3425.5%
35–5425.5%
55–6410.1%
65+17.9%
Gender
49.2%
50.8%
Male49.2%
Female50.8%
Race & ethnicity
80.6%
White80.6%
Black6.6%
Hispanic7.7%
Asian1.2%
Other3.9%
Education (25+)
12.3%
37.7%
26.8%
23.2%
No HS diploma12.3%
HS diploma37.7%
Some college26.8%
Bachelor's+23.2%
Housing tenure
59.9%
40.1%
Owner59.9%
Renter40.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Athens, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$42,283 → $53,929
up 27.5%
Population
13,961 → 14,471
up 3.7%
Renter share
43.4% → 40.1%
-3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
22.7% → 23.2%
+0.5 pts
Median age
40 → 39
-1.0 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $42,283 to $53,929 across the same window, up 27.5% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 13,961 to 14,471 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.7% change. About 40.1% of households rent today, against 43.4% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Athens

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

Can you afford rent in Athens on your salary?

At $1,083/mo, how Athens rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Athens rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Athens

About renting in Athens, TN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Athens is $1,083/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $680/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $950/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $840/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,180/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($53,929/yr), Athens ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Athens an affordable city for renters?

Athens is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,083/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($53,929/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Athens falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Athens?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $43,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,083/mo in Athens. The local median household income is $53,929/yr, meaning the typical Athens household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Athens?

Rent in Athens has increased 4.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Athens rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Athens is one of the more affordable cities in Tennessee for rent, ranking #60 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,083/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Athens?

Dayton is nearby and more affordable at $815/mo, which is $268 less than Athens.

What percentage of Athens residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.1% of Athens households are renters, while 59.9% are owner-occupied. Athens leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Athens rent compare to the national average?

Athens's median rent of $1,083/mo is $879 (45%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #60 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,083/mo, rent takes ~24% of Athens's median household income ($53,929/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Athens 24%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Athens affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Athens, TN

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