City · 14,471 residents · McMinn County, Tennessee
Athens, Tennessee
In Athens, a typical home is worth $225,000 and typical rent is $846 a month. Compared with all of McMinn County, typical household income is 12% lower, the typical home value is 6% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 16 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $200,267 to $259,623.
Typical rent
$1,085a month
▼ 1.9% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, June 2025 to September 2026: from $1,024 to $1,085.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Athens is in McMinn County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of McMinn County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
60% of households in Athens own their home, against 76% in McMinn County.
2
Nearby, in Sweetwater, the typical rent is $619: 27% less than in Athens ($846).
3
Nearby, in Sweetwater, the typical home value is $178,400: 21% less than in Athens ($225,000).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Athens
What homes there are in Athens, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Athens
McMinn County
Tennessee
United States
Kind of home: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
McMinn County
Tennessee
United States
Detached house
69%
73%
68%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
1%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
10%
5%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
14%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
16%
8%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Athens, 7 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in McMinn County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Athens
McMinn County
Tennessee
United States
Year built: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
McMinn County
Tennessee
United States
Before 1960
34%
22%
18%
26%
1960–1979
25%
24%
23%
24%
1980–1999
22%
27%
29%
25%
2000–2009
13%
16%
16%
14%
2010 or later
6%
11%
15%
11%
Homes in Athens are older: the typical year built is 1972; in McMinn County, 1983.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K11%
$100K–$200K31%
$200K–$300K28%
$300K–$500K26%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Under $100K
11%
$100K–$200K
31%
$200K–$300K
28%
$300K–$500K
26%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 95% of owner-occupied homes in Athens sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50021%
$500–$99950%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $995
$1,000–$1,49929%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
Under $500
21%
$500–$999
50%
$1,000–$1,499
29%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
About 70% of rented homes in Athens cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for McMinn County ($995).
With a mortgage
$1,256 a month
McMinn County: $1,192 a month
Without a mortgage
$488 a month
McMinn County: $395 a month
Owners with a mortgage
62%
McMinn County: 53%
In Athens, 62% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,256 a month, against $1,192 in McMinn County. Without one it drops to $488.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Athens+51%
McMinn County+59%
Tennessee+72%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Athens+20%
McMinn County+16%
Tennessee+37%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Athens+69%
McMinn County+42%
Tennessee+31%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
McMinn County
Tennessee
United States
Typical home value
+51%
+59%
+72%
+53%
Typical rent
+20%
+16%
+37%
+33%
Typical household income
+69%
+42%
+31%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Athens rose 51%; in McMinn County, it rose 59%.
Rents in Athens rose faster than in McMinn County: 20% since 2015–2019, against 16%.
The typical household income in Athens rose 69%: more than home values (+51%) and rent (+20%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Athens and its comparisons
Measure
Athens
McMinn County
Tennessee
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
6.1%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
3.2%
2.2%
3.4%
People per household
2.30
2.53
2.45
2.53
Drive alone
82%
84%
76%
69%
Carpool
10%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
3%
Work from home
5%
6%
13%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Households in Athens are smaller: 2.30 people on average; in McMinn County, 2.53.
The car rules in Athens: 82% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Athens?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Athens, worth $225,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 40% of the typical household income in Athens, which is $53,929 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $76,361 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of McMinn County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Athens. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $7,875 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,782
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$220,925
Total interest
$317,859
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,800 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,258 a month
Tight
$1,258 to $1,618 a month
Hard
more than $1,618 a month
Your payment · 40%
Compared with the typical household income in Athens ($53,929 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,497
Property tax
$92
Home insurance
$94
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$100
You need at least $7,875 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,782; principal and interest $1,497.
The city and its county
Athens and McMinn County
Athens is in McMinn County, Tennessee. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Athens
Map of McMinn County, Tennessee, with Athens marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Athens
McMinn County
Other cities with a page
Athens's own numbers
Typical home value
$225,000
Typical monthly rent
$846
Typical yearly household income
$53,929
Households that own their home
60%
Effective property tax rate
0.49%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of McMinn County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$995
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+77%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.8%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of McMinn County.
A typical home in Athens is worth $225,000: 6% above the county and 22% below Tennessee. With the typical household income in Athens ($53,929 a year), a typical home costs 4.2 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Athens4.2 years
McMinn3.4 years
Tennessee4.1 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in McMinn County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in McMinn County rose 121% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of McMinn County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in McMinn County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.5% +2.5% 2016
2017: +5.5% +5.5% 2017
2018: +3.6% +3.6% 2018
2019: +7.7% +7.7% 2019
2020: +3.8% +3.8% 2020
2021: +13.9% +13.9% 2021
2022: +20.1% +20.1% 2022
2023: +12.0% +12.0% 2023
2024: +9.4% +9.4% 2024
2025: +5.5% +5.5% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in McMinn County, Tennessee and the United States
Period
County
Tennessee
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.5%
+2.4%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+77%
+60%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+121%
+114%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Athens next to McMinn County, Tennessee and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Athens$225,000
McMinn$211,800
Tennessee$286,700
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Athens$846
McMinn$803
Tennessee$1,189
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Athens$53,929
McMinn$61,470
Tennessee$69,595
United States$80,734
See the full table
Athens next to McMinn County and Tennessee
Measure
Athens
McMinn County
Tennessee
U.S.
Typical home value
$225,000 ▲6% above the county
$211,800
$286,700
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$846 ▲5% above the county
$803
$1,189
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$53,929 ▼12% below the county
$61,470
$69,595
$80,734
Households that own their home
60% ▼16 points below the county
76%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,098 ▲47% above the county
$748
$1,442
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.49% ▲0.14 points above the county
0.35%
0.5%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
48% ▲3 points above the county
45%
49%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below McMinn County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Athens
For a typical $225,000 home in Athens, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Athens's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,782a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$7,875
Cash to close
$14,625
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $100
Conventional, 5% down$1,741a month
Down payment
$11,250
Cash to close
$18,000
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $107
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,405a month
Down payment
$45,000
Cash to close
$51,750
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,613a month
Down payment
$33,750
Cash to close
$40,500
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Athens
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,782
$7,875
$220,925
7.18%
FHA MIP · $100
$14,625
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,741
$11,250
$213,750
7.18%
PMI · $107
$18,000
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,405
$45,000
$180,000
7.18%
None
$51,750
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,613
$33,750
$191,250
8.18%
None
$40,500
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Athens and for McMinn County.
Property tax
Effective rate in Athens
0.49%of the home’s value each year
$1,098 a year for the typical owner in Athens.
Athens0.49%
McMinn0.35%
Tennessee0.5%
What Tennessee publishesProperty tax relief for older, disabled and disabled-veteran homeowners (Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, 2026 Property Tax Relief Program brochure)
Typical rent in Athens is $846 a month: 5% above the county. In Athens, 48% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of McMinn County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($995 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.13 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in McMinn County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$761
$14.63
$30,440
1 bedroom
$914
$17.58
$36,560
2 bedrooms
$995
$19.13
$39,800
3 bedrooms
$1,214
$23.35
$48,560
4 bedrooms
$1,308
$25.15
$52,320
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Athens
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Athens is in ZIP code 37303.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,030: $35 more than the fair market rent for McMinn County ($995).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Athens, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
37303
$790
$950
$1,030
$1,260
$1,350
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
37303 $1,030$1,260
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Athens when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 8 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Athens. These are the largest.
Athens Housing Authority (RAD Conversion)199 Clark St, Athens 37303441 low-income homes · For families(423) 745-0341
Mcminn Village Apartments212 Westside St, Athens 37303100 low-income homes · For families(423) 745-5231
Ridgetop Apts2009 Layman Rd, Athens 3730396 low-income homes · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 32 · 4 bd: 24 · In service since 1999 · For people with disabilities, families
Lee Manor Apts1800 Lee Dr, Athens 3730390 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 48 · 3 bd: 24 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 2012 · For families(423) 744-9718
Park Village Apts918 Rocky Mount Rd, Athens 3730380 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 47 · 3 bd: 17 · In service since 1999 · For people with disabilities, families
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in McMinn County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Athens or McMinn County. The ones below are statewide in Tennessee: they work in Athens the same as in the rest of the state.
Tennessee state agency help with the down payment and closing costs alongside the Great Choice mortgage: $6,000 or $10,000 forgivable over 10 years with no payments, or up to 5% of the price (maximum $15,000) as a 30-year second mortgage.Offered by Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Athens or McMinn County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Athens and all of McMinn County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Athens?
The typical home value in Athens is $225,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in McMinn County it is $211,800.
How much does it cost to rent in Athens?
Typical rent in Athens is $846 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in McMinn County is $995.
What is the FHA loan limit in Athens?
Athens uses the FHA limit for all of McMinn County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Athens?
The typical homeowner in Athens pays $1,098 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.49% of the home’s value; in McMinn County, the rate is 0.35%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Athens?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in McMinn County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
