Cost to Own
United States › Tennessee › Putnam County › Monterey Population 2,751 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $479 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Putnam County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Monterey, Tennessee

A $131,000 home here costs

$1,194

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $51,000 a year.

P&I 60%Tax 8%Insurance 5%Utilities 19%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $714. The real number is $479 higher every month, 67% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Putnam County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Small-place caveat: the Census publishes these figures for Monterey from a five-year rolling sample, and with about 2,751 residents that sample is small. The median home value here carries a much wider margin of error than a big-city figure does, so treat it as indicative rather than exact. The Putnam County figures are drawn from a far larger sample if you want a steadier number.

Monterey median: $130,600
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
TN average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $104,800 borrowed $714
Property tax0.845% effective rate for Monterey itself $92
Homeowners insuranceTennessee averages $1,368/yr (NAIC), or 0.505% of home value $55
Electricity13.42ยข/kWh, Tennessee residential average, EIA $155
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $109
Total monthly $1,194

Monterey against Putnam County and Tennessee

MeasureMontereyPutnam County
Median home value$130,600$246,800
Median property tax$1,104$1,299
Effective tax rate0.845%0.526%
Median gross rent$688$881
Population2,75181,366

The weather behind that power bill

Monterey sits in Putnam County, which averages a high of 87.3°F in its hottest month and a low of 27.0°F in its coldest, with 60.02" of precipitation a year and 28% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 1,270 cooling and 4,014 heating degree days, which is what sets the $155 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Putnam County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Putnam County

Full Putnam County cost breakdown · Every county in Tennessee

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Monterey averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Monterey every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Monterey I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Monterey?

A $131,000 home in Monterey, Tennessee costs approximately $1,194 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $714 principal and interest, $92 property tax, $55 homeowners insurance, $223 utilities and $109 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Monterey?

Monterey has an effective property tax rate of 0.845%, based on a median home value of $130,600 and median real estate taxes of $1,104. That is higher than the Putnam County average of 0.526%.

What is the average home price in Monterey?

The median owner-occupied home value in Monterey, Tennessee is $130,600, against $246,800 across Putnam County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Monterey?

Median gross rent in Monterey is $688 a month, against $1,194 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Monterey?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Monterey, Tennessee at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $51,000 a year. That covers the full $1,194 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Monterey, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Tennessee.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology