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City Report · TN

East Ridge

Pop. 22,070·54th most expensive in Tennessee·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,379/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.0%
Month-over-Month
+4.3%
vs US Median
-$583
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
East Ridge · $1,379
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,379/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$55,000/yr
Local median income
$62,247/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using East Ridge's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,230
1 BR
$1,290
2 BR
$1,430
3 BR
$1,800
4 BR+
$1,950
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,430/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,379 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
$16,548/yr
At $1,379/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 4.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.0% YoY, +4.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

East Ridge, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,070
Median income
$62,247
Median age
37.6
Renters
42.5%
Age distribution
20.1%
25.8%
23%
12.6%
18.5%
Under 1820.1%
18–3425.8%
35–5423%
55–6412.6%
65+18.5%
Gender
48.8%
51.2%
Male48.8%
Female51.2%
Race & ethnicity
72.8%
16.5%
White72.8%
Black11.1%
Hispanic16.5%
Asian1.4%
Education (25+)
13.8%
28.3%
33.7%
24.2%
No HS diploma13.8%
HS diploma28.3%
Some college33.7%
Bachelor's+24.2%
Housing tenure
57.5%
42.5%
Owner57.5%
Renter42.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How East Ridge, TN has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,330 → $1,379
up 3.7%
Income
$49,517 → $62,247
up 25.7%
Population
21,967 → 22,070
up 0.5%
Renter share
39.5% → 42.5%
+3.0 pts
Bachelor's+
22.1% → 24.2%
+2.1 pts
Median age
41.2 → 37.6
-3.6 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in East Ridge, TN has increased from $1,330 to $1,379, a 3.7% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $62,247 today, compared with $49,517 five years earlier. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. Renters now make up 42.5% of households, compared with 39.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 24.2% of adults here, versus 22.1% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

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View East Ridge rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in East Ridge on your salary?

At $1,379/mo, how East Ridge rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

East Ridge rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in East Ridge

About renting in East Ridge, TN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in East Ridge is $1,379/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,230/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,430/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,290/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,800/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($62,247/yr), East Ridge ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is East Ridge an affordable city for renters?

East Ridge is considered affordable for renters. At $1,379/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($62,247/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. East Ridge falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in East Ridge?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,379/mo in East Ridge. The local median household income is $62,247/yr, meaning the typical East Ridge household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in East Ridge?

Rent in East Ridge has increased 4.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does East Ridge rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

East Ridge is one of the more affordable cities in Tennessee for rent, ranking #54 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,379/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than East Ridge?

Fort Oglethorpe is nearby and more affordable at $1,166/mo, which is $213 less than East Ridge.

What percentage of East Ridge residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.5% of East Ridge households are renters, while 57.5% are owner-occupied. East Ridge leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does East Ridge rent compare to the national average?

East Ridge's median rent of $1,379/mo is $583 (30%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #54 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,379/mo, rent takes ~27% of East Ridge's median household income ($62,247/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

East Ridge 27%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the East Ridge affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

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Public schools near East Ridge, TN

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