Cost of Living in Pigeon Forge, TN

Population 6,345 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

80
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Pigeon Forge is a smaller Tennessee community of around 6000 residents, where median household incomes of $53,839 and housing costs ($259,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. A poverty rate near 23% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Located 25 miles southeast of Knoxville, Pigeon Forge falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 21% higher than Knoxville's $214,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 85
Rent 73

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

About the Cost of Living in Pigeon Forge

The median home value in Pigeon Forge is $258,700 — 15% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $953/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $53,839/year is 28% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, 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, Pigeon Forge has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$258,700
15% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$362,134
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$953/mo
27% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,900/mo
Zillow ZORI
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 49.5%
Renter-occupied 50.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$953
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,567/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
24.2 min
10% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.1%
Carpooled
17.4%
Walked
2.0%
Work from home
4.5%

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
$53,839
28% below avg
Per Capita Income
$23,857
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
61% below avg
Poverty Rate
23.0%
Labor Force Participation
58.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.6%
Graduate degree 3.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.4
Male median age 32.6
Female median age 37.9

🌤 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 Pigeon Forge, TN?

Pigeon Forge has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.

What is average rent in Pigeon Forge, TN?

The median gross rent in Pigeon Forge is $953 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Pigeon Forge?

The median home value in Pigeon Forge is $258,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Pigeon Forge?

The median household income in Pigeon Forge is $53,839 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Pigeon Forge, TN?

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

Is Pigeon Forge, TN affordable?

Yes, Pigeon Forge is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Pigeon Forge?

Pigeon Forge 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.

Pigeon Forge at a Glance

Population
6,345
Median Income
$53,839
Home Value
$258,700
Median Rent
$953/mo
Unemployment
1.9%
Avg High Temp
70.0°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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