Cost of Living in Cookeville, TN

With a cost of living index of 81, Cookeville, TN is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 19% cheaper than the national average and in line with the Tennessee state average. With a population of 35,544, Cookeville is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Cookeville's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $885 (33% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $263,800 (13% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 5.4x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Cookeville is $48,501, which is 35% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 22% 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.