Where rent has outpaced income in Tennessee since 2019

Tennessee cities ranked by rent growth minus household income growth from 2019 to 2024 (Zillow yearly average rent, Census 5-year income). Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Maryville ranks first, with rent up 65.5% against household income up 33.5% since 2019.
Across all 15 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,712/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Change in Zillow's yearly average rent from 2019 to 2024, minus the change in Census median household income over the same years. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

15 cities

Rank	City	Gap (points)	Rent since 2019	Income since 2019	Median rent
01	MaryvilleTN Pop. 32KCompare →	+32.0	+65.5%	+33.5%	$1,890/mo
02	KnoxvilleTN Pop. 195KCompare →	+26.5	+60.4%	+34.0%	$1,701/mo
03	Johnson CityTN Pop. 72KCompare →	+21.0	+58.4%	+37.4%	$1,507/mo
04	Mount JulietTN Pop. 42KCompare →	+19.7	+37.0%	+17.3%	$2,124/mo
05	MemphisTN Pop. 619KCompare →	+17.0	+42.5%	+25.5%	$1,259/mo
06	BartlettTN Pop. 57KCompare →	+16.8	+37.3%	+20.5%	$1,858/mo
07	La VergneTN Pop. 40KCompare →	+14.0	+40.0%	+26.0%	$1,962/mo
08	ClarksvilleTN Pop. 176KCompare →	+12.1	+41.3%	+29.3%	$1,372/mo
09	Spring HillTN Pop. 56KCompare →	+11.1	+34.5%	+23.4%	$1,966/mo
10	FranklinTN Pop. 87KCompare →	+10.6	+32.3%	+21.7%	$2,038/mo
11	SmyrnaTN Pop. 57KCompare →	+9.0	+39.8%	+30.8%	$1,712/mo
12	MurfreesboroTN Pop. 161KCompare →	+7.4	+36.6%	+29.2%	$1,679/mo
13	GallatinTN Pop. 49KCompare →	+5.3	+35.1%	+29.7%	$1,719/mo
14	HendersonvilleTN Pop. 63KCompare →	+0.7	+34.7%	+34.0%	$1,651/mo
15	ChattanoogaTN Pop. 186KCompare →	+0.3	+42.0%	+41.7%	$1,498/mo