Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Roane County, Tennessee
Roane County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,048 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $785 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $20.15 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,048
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 24% less than in Tennessee
- Typical rent
- $785
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 34% less than in Tennessee
- Wage needed
- $20.15
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $41,920 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 41%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 16% less than in Tennessee
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Roane County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Roane County was $1,233 a month in September 2026: 9.9% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $857 | $16.48 | $34,280 |
| 1 bedroom | $862 | $16.58 | $34,480 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,048 | $20.15 | $41,920 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,395 | $26.83 | $55,800 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,649 | $31.71 | $65,960 |
HUD area: Roane County, TN HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 6 ZIP codes in Roane County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,030 in 37763 to $1,050 in 37854. 3 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,048).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 37748 | Morgan County, TN | $840 | $850 | $1,040 | $1,380 | $1,650 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37748 | Roane County, TN | $840 | $850 | $1,040 | $1,380 | $1,650 |
| 37763 | Roane County, TN | $840 | $850 | $1,030 | $1,370 | $1,680 |
| 37854 | Cumberland County, TN | $850 | $850 | $1,050 | $1,400 | $1,530 |
| 37854 | Morgan County, TN | $850 | $850 | $1,050 | $1,400 | $1,530 |
| 37854 | Roane County, TN | $850 | $850 | $1,050 | $1,400 | $1,530 |
- 37748 · Morgan County, TN $1,040$1,380
- 37748 · Roane County, TN $1,040$1,380
- 37763 · Roane County, TN $1,030$1,370
- 37854 · Cumberland County, TN $1,050$1,400
- 37854 · Morgan County, TN $1,050$1,400
- 37854 · Roane County, TN $1,050$1,400
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Roane County, 41% of renter households are in that position; in Tennessee, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
41%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
4,989 households rent in Roane County
- Spend half or more of their income 17%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 24%
- Spend less than 30% 59%
Compared with the state and the country
- Roane 41%
- Tennessee 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Roane County
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Roane County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 4
- HUD-assisted
- 5
- public housing
- 3
1,006 homes in all; 1,000 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Harriman Ha Public housing 708 Clifty St, Harriman 37748 305 homes, 304 low-income · Run by Harriman Housing Authority · Average payment: $355 a month · Average wait: 4 months · Homes at several sites · (865) 882-9636
- Harriman Gardens Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 925 Sewanee St, Harriman 37748 137 homes, 136 low-income · Studio: 1 · 1 bd: 126 · 2 bd: 10 · In service since 2017 · For older adults · (865) 882-2777
- Rockwood Village HUD-assisted 601 S Chamberlain Ave, Rockwood 37854 126 homes, 125 low-income · For older adults · (865) 354-3945
- Evans HTS W-Martin Manor Public housing 122 Evans Hts, Rockwood 37854 124 low-income homes · Run by Rockwood Housing Authority · Average payment: $401 a month · Average wait: 9 months · (865) 354-9841
- Brittain Village Public housing 101 Brittain Vlg, Oliver Springs 37840 114 low-income homes · Run by Oliver Springs Housing Authority · Average payment: $456 a month · Average wait: 22 months · (865) 435-1711
- Deer Run Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 5336 Roane State Hwy, Rockwood 37854 72 low-income homes · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 40 · In service since 2007 · For people with disabilities, families
- Heritage Hills Tax credit (LIHTC) 900 Heritage Hills Ct, Rockwood 37854 72 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 30 · In service since 2013 · For people with disabilities, families
- Russell Park Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 134 Brownlow Dr, Rockwood 37854 25 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 10 · In service since 2001 · For people with disabilities, families
- Hope Haven III HUD-assisted 600 Clark St, Kingston 37763 11 homes, 10 low-income · For people with disabilities · (865) 376-6611
- Simmons Manor HUD-assisted 717 Greenwood St, Kingston 37763 11 homes, 10 low-income · For people with disabilities · (865) 376-3416
- The Webster Home HUD-assisted 141 Hart Cir, Kingston 37763 9 homes, 8 low-income · For people with disabilities · (865) 376-3416
One property has two programs at the same address and appears once. Search HUD's map
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Roane County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 3 agencies serve in Roane County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $19,800 | $32,950 | $52,750 |
| 2 people | $22,600 | $37,650 | $60,250 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $42,350 | $67,800 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $47,050 | $75,300 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $50,850 | $81,350 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $54,600 | $87,350 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $58,350 | $93,400 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $62,150 | $99,400 |
Area median income: $94,100. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Roane County, TN HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $771 – $943
- 1 bedroom $776 – $948
- 2 bedrooms $943 – $1,153
- 3 bedrooms $1,256 – $1,535
- 4 bedrooms $1,484 – $1,814
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Harriman Housing Authority Public housing · 304 public housing units (865) 882-9636 Harriman Housing Authority: ahall@harrimanhsg.org
- Rockwood Housing Authority Public housing · 124 public housing units (865) 354-9841 Rockwood Housing Authority: jjeverhart@bellsouth.net
- Oliver Springs Housing Authority Public housing · 114 public housing units (865) 435-1711 Oliver Springs Housing Authority: Oshousing@oliverspringshousing.org
Housing agencies in Tennessee Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Tennessee
What Tennessee law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 14 days
- T.C.A. §66-28-505(a)(1)-(2)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- T.C.A. §66-28-512(b)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Roane County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
University of Tennessee Extension Office
2621 Morgan Cir, Knoxville · 33 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Pre-purchase counseling
- and 2 more
-
Knoxville Area Urban League
1514 E 5th Ave, Knoxville · 36 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 5 more
-
KNOX HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, INCORPORATED dba HOMESOURCE EAST TENNESSEE
109 Winona St, Knoxville · 36 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 5 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Roane County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Tennessee, the average home bill was $143 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,096
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,048
- Security deposit
- $1,048
- Total
- $2,096
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Roane County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $857; 1 bedroom: $862; 2 bedrooms: $1,048; 3 bedrooms: $1,395; 4 bedrooms: $1,649. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Roane County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,048) without spending more than 30% of income takes $20.15 an hour full time, or $41,920 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Roane County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $47,050 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Roane County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $943 and $1,153 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Roane County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,030 in 37763 to $1,050 in 37854. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Roane County?
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Roane County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Roane County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Roane County, 41% of renter households are in that position; in Tennessee, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).