Cookeville, TN vs Jackson, TN

Cookeville, TN and Jackson, TN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.4% difference in their overall index. Cookeville scores 81 while Jackson scores 80 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cookeville is $885/month compared to $1,094/month in Jackson — a 19% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cookeville has cheaper rent, Jackson actually has lower median home values ($195,000 vs $263,800).

Median household income in Cookeville is $48,501 compared to $51,552 in Jackson (-5.9%). Jackson offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cookeville spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, less than the 25.5% in Jackson.