Athens, TN vs Cookeville, TN

Athens is moderately more affordable than Cookeville, with a 9.7% lower cost of living index. Athens scores 73 compared to 81 for Cookeville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Cookeville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Athens is $807/month compared to $885/month in Cookeville — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Athens is more affordable at $197,300 median vs $263,800.

Median household income in Athens is $53,151 compared to $48,501 in Cookeville (+9.6%). Athens offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Athens spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 21.9% in Cookeville.