Hendersonville, TN vs Oak Ridge, TN

The cost of living difference between Hendersonville, TN and Oak Ridge, TN is dramatic. Oak Ridge is 35.1% cheaper than Hendersonville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hendersonville has a cost index of 114 while Oak Ridge sits at 84, 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 Hendersonville is $1,552/month compared to $1,076/month in Oak Ridge — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oak Ridge is more affordable at $233,500 median vs $396,500.

Median household income in Hendersonville is $91,503 compared to $71,000 in Oak Ridge (+28.9%). The higher salaries in Hendersonville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hendersonville spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Oak Ridge.