Carter County's composite score of 78.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 56%, placing it in the 78th percentile nationally. This positions Carter County among the top-tier livable counties across the United States.
2 / 5
Among Tennessee's strongest performers
Carter County ranks above the Tennessee state average of 76.3 with its score of 78.2, placing it in the upper tier of livability across Tennessee. This puts it ahead of the majority of counties statewide.
3 / 5
Exceptional taxes and affordability combine
Carter County boasts a leading tax score of 87.4 with the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.530%, plus a cost score of 87.0 backed by median rents of $738 and median home values of $157,200. These advantages create an unusually affordable living environment.
4 / 5
Income potential remains below regional standards
Carter County's income score of 15.0 reflects a median household income of $48,435, suggesting limited wealth-building opportunities within the county. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data are still being compiled for a complete assessment.
5 / 5
Perfect for savers seeking small-town stability
Carter County is designed for people who value low taxes, affordable housing, and tight-knit community living over high earning potential. Retirees, young families building savings, and remote workers with outside income will find exceptional economic advantage here.
Carter County's composite score of 78.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 56%, placing it in the 78th percentile nationally. This positions Carter County among the top-tier livable counties across the United States.
Among Tennessee's strongest performers
Carter County ranks above the Tennessee state average of 76.3 with its score of 78.2, placing it in the upper tier of livability across Tennessee. This puts it ahead of the majority of counties statewide.
Exceptional taxes and affordability combine
Carter County boasts a leading tax score of 87.4 with the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.530%, plus a cost score of 87.0 backed by median rents of $738 and median home values of $157,200. These advantages create an unusually affordable living environment.
Income potential remains below regional standards
Carter County's income score of 15.0 reflects a median household income of $48,435, suggesting limited wealth-building opportunities within the county. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data are still being compiled for a complete assessment.
Perfect for savers seeking small-town stability
Carter County is designed for people who value low taxes, affordable housing, and tight-knit community living over high earning potential. Retirees, young families building savings, and remote workers with outside income will find exceptional economic advantage here.
Score breakdown
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🏛87.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Carter County's 0.530% effective rate sits comfortably below the national average, making it attractive for property owners seeking lower tax burdens. The median tax of $833 annually represents less than 31% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting both the county's lower tax rate and smaller home values.
In line with Tennessee average
Carter County's 0.530% effective rate essentially matches Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, placing it squarely in the middle of the tax landscape. This consistency means homeowners here face tax pressures similar to the broader state, neither penalized nor favored.
Competitive among regional peers
At 0.530%, Carter County's rate is lower than Carroll County (0.663%) but slightly higher than Claiborne County (0.492%) just to the southwest. For a median home value of $157,200, this rate balances affordability with regional competitiveness.
Monthly tax costs in Carter
On a median home value of $157,200, Carter County homeowners pay roughly $833 annually in property taxes—about $69 per month. With a mortgage, escrow payments typically rise to $867, reflecting lender requirements.
Appeal if taxes feel too high
Carter County homeowners should verify that assessed values reflect true market conditions, as overassessment is a common issue. The county assessor's office accepts appeals during designated periods, and many property owners successfully reduce their tax obligations by providing recent appraisals or comparable sales data.
Carter County renters dedicate 18.3% of household income to rent, exceeding the national benchmark by roughly 3 percentage points. While still manageable, this ratio signals that affordable housing is tighter here than in the nation overall, and tighter than many Tennessee counties.
Above average affordability pressure
Carter County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.3% ranks it among the less affordable counties in Tennessee, sitting 0.7 points above the state average of 17.6%. The county's median income of $48,435 is one of the lowest in the state, making housing costs bite harder relative to earnings.
Cheaper rents, but lower wages too
Carter's median rent of $738 undercuts the state average and rivals nearby Cocke County ($787), yet the county's below-average median income means renters feel proportionally more strain. Homebuyers face similar challenges: while the $157,200 median home value is reasonable, financing it on $48,435 in annual household income demands careful budgeting.
Housing consumes growing share
The typical Carter household earns just $48,435 annually and pays $738 in monthly rent or $542 for ownership. That means renters commit 18.3% of gross income to housing, while homeowners spend roughly 13.4%—both manageable individually, but together they paint a picture of modest earnings stretched across multiple obligations.
Expect tight affordability here
Carter County offers low rents and reasonable home prices, but only if you have steady income; wages here lag state and national averages. If you're relocating, compare salary prospects carefully against what you'd earn in higher-cost metro areas before committing to the move.
Carter County's median household income of $48,435 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $26,300, or 35%. The county ranks among America's lower-income communities, reflecting limited job opportunities and wage stagnation in the region.
Near the bottom statewide in Tennessee
At $48,435, Carter County ranks among Tennessee's lowest-earning counties, trailing the state average of $58,994 by $10,559. Only a handful of Tennessee counties earn less, underscoring persistent economic challenges in this Appalachian area.
Lowest earners in a struggling region
Carter County's $48,435 median income ranks it among the weakest in East Tennessee, slightly below Cocke County ($48,416) and well behind Chester County ($60,543). The county faces steeper income challenges than most of its neighbors.
Rent is manageable but wages are tight
An 18.3% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs reasonable, yet Carter County's low overall earnings strain household budgets across other necessities. Residents spend proportionally more on food, transportation, and healthcare than higher-earning Tennessee counties.
Invest in skills and savings
Carter County workers should prioritize skill-building through community colleges and vocational training—investments that historically raise earning potential. Start small with automatic savings programs; even $50 monthly compounds meaningfully over decades.
At 72.7 years, Carter County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years but fall short by about 3.7 years overall. The county's 23.6% poor or fair health rate is better than the national average of 17%, but still indicates significant health challenges. While Carter shows relative strength in longevity, room for improvement remains.
Just above Tennessee's average
Carter's 72.7-year life expectancy edges out Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years by 0.3 years, placing it in the middle of the state's health rankings. However, its 13.4% uninsured rate significantly exceeds the state average of 11.9%, meaning nearly 1 in 8 residents lack coverage. Insurance gaps likely undermine otherwise-stable health outcomes.
Middle of the pack locally
Carter's 72.7-year life expectancy matches Chester County's but trails better-performing neighbors like Cheatham (72.3 years—note: Cheatham's lower rate reflects different data). The county's 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents tie it with Chester as the lowest among peers. Stronger mental health support at 68 per 100K provides a relative advantage in behavioral health access.
Insurance coverage lags, access is thin
With 13.4% of residents uninsured—above the state average—Carter faces coverage headwinds that discourage preventive care. The county has just 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the lowest among nearby counties, creating potential bottlenecks for routine checkups. Mental health providers at 68 per 100K offer better-than-average behavioral health access, but primary care shortages remain a concern.
Close the gap: Get insured now
Carter's higher-than-average uninsured rate makes it especially important for residents to check healthcare.gov or contact TennCare for enrollment. Even basic coverage unlocks preventive services, doctor visits, and medications that keep chronic conditions manageable. Don't let insurance gaps prevent you from getting the care you deserve.
Carter County's composite risk score of 63.17 places it above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, signaling above-average vulnerability to multiple hazard types. The county experiences a relatively low overall rating despite this score, reflecting Tennessee's generally elevated disaster exposure across most regions.
Mid-range risk among Tennessee counties
Carter County ranks in the middle-upper range of Tennessee's 95 counties by composite risk, driven significantly by flood and wildfire vulnerabilities. The county's position reflects its mountainous terrain in East Tennessee, where water and forest hazards converge.
Higher flood risk than neighboring Cocke County
Carter County's flood risk of 77.39 substantially exceeds that of adjacent Cocke County (68.48), despite both counties sitting in the Appalachian region. Its wildfire risk of 60.78 similarly exceeds Cocke County's 61.77, placing Carter in a notably vulnerable position for water and forest hazards.
Floods and wildfires pose primary threats
Flood risk dominates at 77.39 and wildfire risk at 60.78, both substantially above Tennessee's state average and reflecting the county's mountain valleys and forested terrain. Earthquake risk (70.58) and tornado risk (45.42) remain secondary concerns but still warrant preparedness planning.
Flood insurance is non-negotiable here
Carter County's 77.39 flood risk makes federal flood insurance not just recommended but critical—particularly for properties in valley areas or near waterways. Defensible space management around your home (clearing dead vegetation and branches) is equally important given the county's 60.78 wildfire risk.