Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Rives?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Rives, you need to earn at least $51,000/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $36,458, which means the typical resident is $14,542 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 204

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$893	$2,977	$35,720	$-738
1 Bedroom	$1,058	$3,527	$42,320	+$5,862
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,275	$4,250	$51,000	+$14,542
3 Bedroom	$1,556	$5,187	$62,240	+$25,782
4 Bedroom	$1,913	$6,377	$76,520	+$40,062

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Rives's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$36,458

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$51,000

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$14,542

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 42.0%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Rives

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Rives's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$911

Studio

$893/mo

1 BR

$1,058/mo

2 BR

$1,275/mo

3 BR

$1,556/mo

4 BR

$1,913/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Rives.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Rives's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Rives

Renting in Rives is unaffordable for most median earners. The $14,542 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $1,275/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Rives, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $893/month, which requires $35,720/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$638/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable Tennessee city.

To live comfortably in Rives without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $76,500 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for Tennessee's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Rives, Tennessee.

With a total population of 204, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 85 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $51,000 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

Active civilian employees in Rives

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Rives

What salary do I need to live in Rives, Tennessee?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Rives under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $51,000. The median household income in Rives is $36,458.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Rives on $36,458?

The affordability verdict for Rives is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 42.0%, meaning there's a $14,542 income gap.

What is the average rent in Rives compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Rives is $1,058/month. With a median household income of $36,458, residents spend approximately 42.0% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Rives?

A studio in Rives rents for approximately $893/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $35,720 to afford this.

Is Rives considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $14,542 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Rives is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $51,000 to the local median household income.

How Rives Compares

Other cities in Tennessee with salary requirements