C-

Gallatin, TN

Source:

Affordability Score: 54/100

Population: 42,758 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Gallatin, TN aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 42,758 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C- (54/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $81,614, median home value of $405,400, median rent of $1,391 per month, and 35.4% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,730 per month (studio $1,507, 1BR $1,578, 3BR $2,211, 4BR $2,696). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $11,007 per year, consuming 13% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Pressure points are housing. Unemployment currently reads 2.9% and poverty 12.1% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income B-
$81,614
Median household income
Education C+
35.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing F
5.0x
Home value $405,400 vs income
Commute D
27 min
Average commute time
Rent C+
$1,730/mo
2BR fair market rent (25% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C
$11,007/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$81,614
▲ 32% vs national
Per Capita Income
$46,209
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Poverty Rate
12.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
$405,400
▲ 47% vs national
Median Rent
$1,391/mo
Owner Occupied
63.8%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,730/mo
▲ 44% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,507
1BR
$1,578
2BR
$1,730
3BR
$2,211
4BR
$2,696

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
35.4%
▲ 5 ppt vs national
High School+
62.4%
Median Age
38.3
Avg. Commute
27 min
▲ 1 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$11,007/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$7,610/yr
Preschool (Center)
$7,610/yr
School-Age (Center)
$3,969/yr

What This Means

Gallatin, TN receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 42,758. Challenges include housing. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Gallatin, TN affordable?
Gallatin, TN receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $81,614. Median home value is $405,400.
What is the cost of living in Gallatin?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,391/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,730/mo. Infant childcare $11,007/yr. Median home value $405,400.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →