At $1,828/mo, rent takes about 33% 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 $1,828 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 Lenoir City changed +4.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 51 Tennessee cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.0%.
Rent rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($67,259) is $1,681 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,450); a 2-bedroom is $1,770.
Oak Ridge, 13 miles away, rents for 11% less ($1,622/mo), about $2,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Lenoir City. 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
Lenoir City, TN is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 19.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lenoir City, TN has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Lenoir City on your salary?
At $1,828/mo, how Lenoir City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lenoir City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lenoir City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lenoir City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Lenoir City is $1,828/mo as of October 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 33% of local median household income ($67,259/yr), Lenoir City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Lenoir City?
How does Lenoir City rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lenoir City?
At $1,828/mo, rent takes ~33% of Lenoir City's median household income ($67,259/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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