Rocky Top is a small town of 1,845 in Tennessee, with a median household income of $29,073
and a 15.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Rocky Top stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Rocky Top is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Rocky Top city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.8
Rocky Top's overall cost of living index is 92.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Rocky Top costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Rocky Top, TN
National Avg
Median Home Value
$104,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$649
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
32.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$29,073
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Rocky Top's violent crime rate is 1522.5 per 100,000 residents
— 301% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
1522.5 /100k
Property Crime
3593.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Rocky Top is served primarily by Anderson County.
Metric
Rocky Top, TN
National Avg
School District
Anderson County
—
Elementary Schools
9
—
Middle Schools
4
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
78.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Rocky Top sees average highs of 44.4°F in January
and 85.1°F in July,
with 55.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 3.1 inches of snow per year.
Rocky Top's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Rocky Top roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $104,200 and median rent is $649/month.
Rocky Top's violent crime rate is 1522.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3593.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Rocky Top are operated by Anderson County.
The district has 9 elementary, 4 middle, and 4 high schools.
11.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Rocky Top, TN has a population of 1,845, a median household income of $29,073, and an unemployment rate of 15.0%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Rocky Top averages 44.4°F in January and 85.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 55.7 inches
with about 3.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Rocky Top, TN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 37769.
The population of Rocky Top, Tennessee is 1,845 with a median age of 32.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Rocky Top: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $104,200, median household income $29,073, crime index 309 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Rocky Top side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
