Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Athens, TN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21.1% of gross income.
Athens rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee state estimate).
About rent and a plumber salary
Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Athens, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:
Compare with full rent data for Athens
View full rent data for Athens, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Athens, TN?
Median rent in Athens is $1,085 a month. A typical plumber in Tennessee earns about $61,732 a year, which makes that rent 21.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Athens?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Tennessee (~$61,732/yr) supports up to $1,543 a month in rent. Athens's current median rent is $1,085/mo, which leaves a $458/mo buffer.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Athens?
At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a plumber in Tennessee works roughly 36.6 hours a month to cover Athens's median rent of $1,085.
Where is rent cheaper than Athens for a plumber?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Columbia ($1,083/mo), Greeneville ($1,082/mo), Clarksville ($1,080/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.