Cost of Living in Baxter, TN

With a cost of living index of 74, Baxter, TN is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 26% cheaper than the national average and 6% below the Tennessee state average of 80. Baxter is a small community of 1,278 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Baxter's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $850 (36% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $198,800 (35% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.5x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Baxter is $56,806, which is 24% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 18% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.