Rents are 8% below what Oak Ridge's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,668 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: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Oak Ridge, TN is majority owner-occupied, 40.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Oak Ridge, TN has changed in 5 years
Compared with 2023, rent in Oak Ridge, TN has climbed by $226 per month, settling near $1,668 after starting the period at $1,442. On the earnings side, the typical household in Oak Ridge, TN now reports about $72,311, up from $60,542 in 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 3.7 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 31,087 to 32,693 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.2% change. About 34.2% of households rent today, against 37.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 38.2% to 40.2%. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Oak Ridge, TN reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Oak Ridge on your salary?
At $1,668/mo, how Oak Ridge rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Oak Ridge rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Oak Ridge. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Oak Ridge
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Oak Ridge is $1,668/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,150/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,410/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,150/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,810/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($72,311/yr), Oak Ridge ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Oak Ridge rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?
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What percentage of Oak Ridge residents rent vs. own?
How does Oak Ridge rent compare to the national average?
At $1,668/mo, rent takes ~28% of Oak Ridge's median household income ($72,311/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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