Cookeville, TN vs Manchester, TN

Cookeville, TN and Manchester, TN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Cookeville scores 81 while Manchester scores 77 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 $897/month in Manchester — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cookeville has cheaper rent, Manchester actually has lower median home values ($215,700 vs $263,800).

Median household income in Cookeville is $48,501 compared to $55,019 in Manchester (-11.8%). Manchester 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, more than the 19.6% in Manchester.