Jackson, TN vs Oak Ridge, TN

Jackson is moderately more affordable than Oak Ridge, with a 5.4% lower cost of living index. Jackson scores 80 compared to 84 for Oak Ridge, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Oak Ridge can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Jackson is $1,094/month compared to $1,076/month in Oak Ridge — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Oak Ridge has cheaper rent, Jackson actually has lower median home values ($195,000 vs $233,500).

Median household income in Jackson is $51,552 compared to $71,000 in Oak Ridge (-27.4%). While Oak Ridge is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Jackson spend roughly 25.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Oak Ridge.