Can A HVAC Technician Afford Rent in Memphis, TN?

Comfortably affordable — rent takes 29.1% of gross income.

Memphis rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee state estimate).

Memphis median rent
$1,280/mo
HVAC Technician salary (Tennessee)
$52,716/yr
Rent as % of income
29.1%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,393, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,318/mo in rent. Memphis's median rent of $1,280 leaves roughly $38/mo of headroom under that threshold. A hvac technician works roughly 50.5 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a hvac technician salary

HVAC technician pay sits near the US median household income and rises sharply with certification and overtime. At the national-average HVAC salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,433 a month in rent.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Memphis, which improves the affordability math on a hvac technician salary:

Gallatin, TN
$1,279/mo (29.1% of income)
Smyrna, TN
$1,274/mo (29% of income)
Jonesborough, TN
$1,274/mo (29% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Memphis

View full rent data for Memphis, TN

Frequently asked questions

Can a hvac technician afford rent in Memphis, TN?

Median rent in Memphis is $1,280 a month. A typical hvac technician in Tennessee earns about $52,716 a year, which makes that rent 29.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.

How much rent can a hvac technician afford in Memphis?

Using the 30% rule, a hvac technician salary in Tennessee (~$52,716/yr) supports up to $1,318 a month in rent. Memphis's current median rent is $1,280/mo, which leaves a $38/mo buffer.

How many hours does a hvac technician work to cover rent in Memphis?

At an hourly equivalent of about $25 an hour, a hvac technician in Tennessee works roughly 50.5 hours a month to cover Memphis's median rent of $1,280.

Where is rent cheaper than Memphis for a hvac technician?

Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Gallatin ($1,279/mo), Smyrna ($1,274/mo), Jonesborough ($1,274/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a hvac technician salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Tennessee state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Memphis, TN. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.