Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Oak Ridge, TN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 24.9% of gross income.
Oak Ridge rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee state estimate).
About rent and a dental hygienist salary
Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Oak Ridge, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Oak Ridge
View full rent data for Oak Ridge, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Oak Ridge, TN?
Median rent in Oak Ridge is $1,668 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Tennessee earns about $80,509 a year, which makes that rent 24.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Oak Ridge?
Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Tennessee (~$80,509/yr) supports up to $2,013 a month in rent. Oak Ridge's current median rent is $1,668/mo, which leaves a $345/mo buffer.
How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Oak Ridge?
At an hourly equivalent of about $39 an hour, a dental hygienist in Tennessee works roughly 43.1 hours a month to cover Oak Ridge's median rent of $1,668.
Where is rent cheaper than Oak Ridge for a dental hygienist?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Murfreesboro ($1,667/mo), Lakeland ($1,667/mo), Alcoa ($1,666/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.