Cost of Living in Lenoir City, TN

Population 10,681 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

70
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lenoir City sits on the smaller end of the Tennessee city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 3.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Lenoir City sits roughly 20 miles southwest of Knoxville — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Knoxville's $214,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 70
Rent 69

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

About the Cost of Living in Lenoir City

The median home value in Lenoir City is $214,300 — 30% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $913/month, 31% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,480/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, 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 68.7°F and lows of 48.4°F, with about 4.4" of annual snowfall. Overall, Lenoir City has a cost of living index of 70 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 30% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$214,300
30% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$405,805
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$913/mo
31% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,822/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.6x
Favors buying
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 62.5%
Renter-occupied 37.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$913
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,527/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
23.1 min
14% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
81.1%
Carpooled
9.2%
Work from home
9.0%

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
$60,480
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,297
Unemployment Rate
3.0%
38% below avg
Poverty Rate
20.1%
Labor Force Participation
56.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 11.9%
Graduate degree 8.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.4
Male median age 36.1
Female median age 39.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
68.7°F
Avg Low
48.4°F
Annual Precip
59.7"
Annual Snowfall
4.4"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 475161707884878781715949
Low °F 293239475664686761483732
Precip" 5.505.935.555.584.504.765.903.724.133.295.005.84
Snow" 1.81.40.60.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
73.1%
Good air days/yr
107
Max AQI recorded
213
PM2.5 days
148
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
2,435
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lenoir City, TN?

Lenoir City has a cost index of 70 (100 = national average). It is 30% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lenoir City, TN?

The median gross rent in Lenoir City is $913 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lenoir City?

The median home value in Lenoir City is $214,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lenoir City?

The median household income in Lenoir City is $60,480 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lenoir City, TN?

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

Is Lenoir City, TN affordable?

Yes, Lenoir City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 70 — about 30% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Lenoir City?

Lenoir City has average high temperatures of 68.7°F and average lows of 48.4°F. Annual precipitation is 59.7". Average annual snowfall is 4.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lenoir City at a Glance

Population
10,681
Median Income
$60,480
Home Value
$214,300
Median Rent
$913/mo
Unemployment
3.0%
Avg High Temp
68.7°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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