City Report · TN

Lenoir City

Pop. 11,110·24th most expensive in Tennessee·Lenoir City rents have dropped 5.8%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,691/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.8%
Month-over-Month
-2.4%
vs US Median
-$271
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lenoir City · $1,691
More affordable than 62% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,691/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$68,000/yr
Local median income
$67,259/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lenoir City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,440
1 BR
$1,450
2 BR
$1,770
3 BR
$2,270
4 BR+
$2,670
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,770/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,691 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
$20,292/yr
At $1,691/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 5.8% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.8% YoY, -2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lenoir City, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 19.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
11,110
Median income
$67,259
Median age
40
Renters
36.3%
Age distribution
22.5%
20.5%
24%
12.1%
21%
Under 1822.5%
18–3420.5%
35–5424%
55–6412.1%
65+21%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
83%
15.8%
White83%
Black1.2%
Hispanic15.8%
Asian1.4%
Education (25+)
12.6%
39.4%
28.7%
19.3%
No HS diploma12.6%
HS diploma39.4%
Some college28.7%
Bachelor's+19.3%
Housing tenure
63.7%
36.3%
Owner63.7%
Renter36.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lenoir City, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$51,296 → $67,259
up 31.1%
Population
9,953 → 11,110
up 11.6%
Renter share
39.3% → 36.3%
-3.0 pts
Bachelor's+
19.9% → 19.3%
-0.6 pts
Median age
34.4 → 40
+5.6 yrs

Median household income rose from $51,296 to $67,259 between 2021 and 2024, a 31.1% shift. The population has grown by 11.6% since 2021, moving from about 9,953 residents to roughly 11,110. Renters now make up 36.3% of households, compared with 39.3% five years ago.

Community

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View Lenoir City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lenoir City on your salary?

At $1,691/mo, how Lenoir City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lenoir City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lenoir City

About renting in Lenoir City, TN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Lenoir City is $1,691/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,440/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,770/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,450/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,270/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($67,259/yr), Lenoir City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lenoir City an affordable city for renters?

Lenoir City is considered moderate for renters. At $1,691/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($67,259/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lenoir City slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Lenoir City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $68,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,691/mo in Lenoir City. The local median household income is $67,259/yr, meaning the typical Lenoir City household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lenoir City?

Rent in Lenoir City has decreased 5.8% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Lenoir City rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Lenoir City is middle-of-the-pack for Tennessee for rent, ranking #24 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,691/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lenoir City?

Oak Ridge is nearby and more affordable at $1,668/mo, which is $23 less than Lenoir City.

What percentage of Lenoir City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.3% of Lenoir City households are renters, while 63.7% are owner-occupied. Lenoir City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lenoir City rent compare to the national average?

Lenoir City's median rent of $1,691/mo is $271 (14%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #24 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,691/mo, rent takes ~30% of Lenoir City's median household income ($67,259/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lenoir City 30%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lenoir City, TN

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