At $1,563/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,563 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 Jonesborough changed +5.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 51 Tennessee cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.0%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($74,015) is $1,850 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,790).
Kingsport, 16 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,309/mo), about $3,000 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Jonesborough. 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
Jonesborough, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 26.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Jonesborough, TN has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Jonesborough, TN now reports about $74,015, up from $64,464 in 2021. The population has grown by 8.4% since 2021, moving from about 5,747 residents to roughly 6,232. Renters now make up 35.5% of households, compared with 33.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 26.3% of adults here, versus 33% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Jonesborough on your salary?
At $1,563/mo, how Jonesborough rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Jonesborough rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Jonesborough. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Jonesborough
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Jonesborough is $1,563/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,020/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,280/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,020/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,590/mo.
At 25% of local median household income ($74,015/yr), Jonesborough ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Jonesborough?
Is rent going up or down in Jonesborough?
How does Jonesborough rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Jonesborough?
At $1,563/mo, rent takes ~25% of Jonesborough's median household income ($74,015/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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