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Tennessee

Cost of living in DeKalb County, TN

Estimated monthly cost
$2,504/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 20,551 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $714 29%
Healthcare $480 19%
Federal tax $427 17%
Transport $320 13%
Groceries $317 13%
Energy $191 8%
Water $55 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in DeKalb County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$710
per month
1 bedroom
$714
per month
2 bedroom
$937
per month
3 bedroom
$1,129
per month
4 bedroom
$1,573
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in DeKalb County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$48,484
per year
Individual earnings
$36,189
per year
Per capita
$28,137
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in DeKalb County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$206,600
Annual property tax
$747

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in DeKalb County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 13.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$44
per month
Annual total
$2,292
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in DeKalb County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in DeKalb County

State and local tax rates for Tennessee.

No state income tax
Tennessee does not levy a personal income tax.
State sales tax
7.0%
Combined sales tax
9.6%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in DeKalb County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
28.7 min
Drive alone
80.7%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
6.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for DeKalb County

What it costs to live in DeKalb County each month.

Single person
$2,504
per month
  • Rent $714
  • Energy $191
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $317
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $427
  • State tax $0
Couple
$3,510
per month
  • Rent $937
  • Energy $229
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $525
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $470
  • State tax $0
Family
$5,827
per month
  • Rent $1,129
  • Energy $286
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $797
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $470
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about DeKalb County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in DeKalb County?

In DeKalb County, TN, a one-bedroom apartment averages $714 per month, a two-bedroom averages $937 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,129 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in DeKalb County?

In DeKalb County, TN, the average household income is $48,484 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,189 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in DeKalb County?

The estimated cost of living in DeKalb County, TN is approximately $2,504 per month for a single person, $3,510 for a couple, $5,827 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in DeKalb County?

The combined sales tax rate in DeKalb County, TN is 9.55%, which includes the Tennessee state rate of 7.00% plus an average local rate of 2.55%.

Is DeKalb County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in DeKalb County, TN would need approximately $2,504 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $48,484 per year ($4,040 per month). DeKalb County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in DeKalb County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in DeKalb County, TN is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in DeKalb County?

The average home value in DeKalb County, TN is $206,600, with average annual property taxes of $747, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does DeKalb County compare to other areas?

You can compare DeKalb County, TN with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. DeKalb County is in Tennessee.

Other counties in Tennessee

Browse the full list of counties in Tennessee, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Tennessee

Compare DeKalb County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources