Alcoa, TN vs Selmer, TN

The cost of living difference between Alcoa, TN and Selmer, TN is dramatic. Selmer is 35.2% cheaper than Alcoa, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alcoa has a cost index of 83 while Selmer sits at 62, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Alcoa is $1,057/month compared to $671/month in Selmer — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Selmer is more affordable at $111,600 median vs $232,300.

Median household income in Alcoa is $60,049 compared to $48,092 in Selmer (+24.9%). The higher salaries in Alcoa partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Alcoa spend roughly 21.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Selmer.