Hamilton County, TN

Across the selected direct-evidence set, Zillow’s typical observed asking-rent index runs from $1,317 to $2,047, a $730 spread, with a $1,460 median. The county-level Zillow reading is $1,528 and its reported annual change is 1.56%. The decision is not to presume one local rent level but to determine whether an available unit can be secured near the lower portion of this observed range or whether the household must accommodate the upper end. ZORI is an index, rather than a quote for a specified unit, so bedroom count, lease terms, fees, and condition require listing-level confirmation. The spread frames a budget search; it does not establish any property’s rent.

The three measures answer distinct questions and should be read in parallel, never rolled into a composite price. In 37406, the reported ZORI is $1,688 after a 9.89% annual increase; its HUD two-bedroom FMR is $1,200, making ZORI 140.7% of that standard. ZORI is a typical observed asking-rent index, while FMR is a bedroom-specific administrative standard; a particular offered unit need not equal either figure. ACS five-year median gross-rent estimates, survey estimates rather than current asking rents, span $615 to $1,630 among the selected ZCTAs. They offer household-cost context for their survey period, but should not be used to quote availability or be mathematically combined with ZORI or FMR.

Burden and vacancy furnish distinct screening signals. County ACS estimates that 45.23% of renters devote 30% or more of income to gross rent; the selected-area estimates extend from 34.1% to 50.3%. Separately, treating ZORI as a one-third-of-gross-income screen produces annual income thresholds from $52,680 to $81,880. That arithmetic does not measure a particular household’s income, unit size, concessions, or total lease cost. ACS five-year vacancy estimates range from 4.9% to 20.6%, versus 8.23% countywide. A higher estimated vacancy rate does not establish lower asking rent or affordability. Use burden estimates to understand reported cost pressure and vacancy only as a separate availability context, then test both against current property terms.

Coverage and crosswalk rules limit the claim. This targeted comparison contains 12 of 15 eligible direct-ZORI ZIP/ZCTA matches, covering 46,079 renter households, rather than a complete county inventory. For display, each ZIP is assigned to Hamilton County using its largest HUD residential-address share; shown shares run from 96.1% to 100.0%, so a displayed ZIP can still include addresses outside the county. The ACS areas are Census ZCTAs—statistical tabulation geographies whose boundaries do not precisely track the postal ZIP service footprint in Hamilton County. Before selecting a property, verify advertised rent, actual availability, bedroom count, lease length, utilities, parking, deposits, income rules, and the exact address; apply a HUD two-bedroom standard only when it fits the relevant administrative program or decision.