Cost of Living in Gatlinburg, TN

Population 3,643 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

89
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Gatlinburg a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $287,000.

Gatlinburg is about 30 miles southeast of Knoxville, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 34% higher than Knoxville's $214,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 94
Rent 80

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Gatlinburg

The median home value in Gatlinburg is $286,500 — 6% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,056/month, 20% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,760/year is 23% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 70.0°F and lows of 49.1°F, with about 4.6" of annual snowfall. Overall, Gatlinburg has a cost of living index of 89 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$286,500
6% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$99,557
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,056/mo
20% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.6x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$809
2 BR
$948
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR
$1,510
Owner-occupied 66.6%
Renter-occupied 33.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,056
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,670/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
19.2 min
29% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
59.6%
Carpooled
17.9%
Public transit
3.0%
Walked
12.9%
Work from home
6.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.6%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$57,760
23% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,307
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
6% below avg
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Labor Force Participation
63.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.3%
Graduate degree 11.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.6
Male median age 40.4
Female median age 47.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
70.0°F
Avg Low
49.1°F
Annual Precip
51.9"
Annual Snowfall
4.6"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 485361717986888883726051
Low °F 303340485765696861493833
Precip" 4.764.814.894.714.134.245.253.633.492.814.215.00
Snow" 1.71.40.90.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
76.5%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
268
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Gatlinburg, TN?

Gatlinburg has a cost index of 89 (100 = national average). It is 11% below the national average.

What is average rent in Gatlinburg, TN?

The median gross rent in Gatlinburg is $1,056 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Gatlinburg?

The median home value in Gatlinburg is $286,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Gatlinburg?

The median household income in Gatlinburg is $57,760 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Gatlinburg, TN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Gatlinburg is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Is Gatlinburg, TN affordable?

Yes, Gatlinburg is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 89 — about 11% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Gatlinburg?

Gatlinburg has average high temperatures of 70.0°F and average lows of 49.1°F. Annual precipitation is 51.9". Average annual snowfall is 4.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Gatlinburg at a Glance

Population
3,643
Median Income
$57,760
Home Value
$286,500
Median Rent
$1,056/mo
Unemployment
4.5%
Avg High Temp
70.0°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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