C-

Pulaski, TN

Source:

Affordability Score: 54/100

Population: 17,733 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Pulaski, TN aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 17,733 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 $61,295, median home value of $226,200, median rent of $867 per month, and 20.2% 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 $1,001 per month (studio $758, 1BR $763, 3BR $1,200, 4BR $1,395). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $6,811 per year, consuming 11% 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. Strengths visible in the raw data for Pulaski, TN include rent. Pressure points are education. Unemployment currently reads 4.2% and poverty 14.4% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income D
$61,295
Median household income
Education F
20.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing D
3.7x
Home value $226,200 vs income
Commute D
27 min
Average commute time
Rent A-
$1,001/mo
2BR fair market rent (20% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare B-
$6,811/yr
Center-based infant care (11% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$61,295
▼ 1% vs national
Per Capita Income
$33,645
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Poverty Rate
14.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
$226,200
▼ 18% vs national
Median Rent
$867/mo
Owner Occupied
67.5%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,001/mo
▼ 17% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$758
1BR
$763
2BR
$1,001
3BR
$1,200
4BR
$1,395

Safety

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

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
20.2%
▼ 10 ppt vs national
High School+
60.7%
Median Age
41.9
Avg. Commute
27 min
▲ 1 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$6,811/yr
11% of income
Toddler (Center)
$5,720/yr
Preschool (Center)
$5,720/yr
School-Age (Center)
$2,600/yr

What This Means

Pulaski, TN receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 17,733. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include education. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Pulaski ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Pulaski, TN affordable?
Pulaski, TN receives an overall affordability grade of C- (54/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $61,295. Median home value is $226,200.
What is the cost of living in Pulaski?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $867/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,001/mo. Infant childcare $6,811/yr. Median home value $226,200.
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 →