Cost of Living in Cookeville, TN
Population 35,544 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
The Cookeville cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $264,000, rents near $885 a month. A poverty rate near 22% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Located 55 miles east of Murfreesboro, Cookeville is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 28% lower than Murfreesboro's $365,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Cookeville
The median home value in Cookeville is $263,800 — 14% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $885/month, 33% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,501/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 64.6°F and lows of 44.3°F. Overall, Cookeville has a cost of living index of 79 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 21% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 44 | 48 | 56 | 65 | 73 | 79 | 82 | 82 | 77 | 67 | 56 | 47 |
| Low °F | 26 | 29 | 36 | 43 | 52 | 60 | 63 | 62 | 55 | 43 | 35 | 29 |
| Precip" | 5.10 | 5.76 | 5.76 | 5.56 | 4.84 | 5.09 | 4.91 | 3.89 | 4.25 | 3.38 | 4.62 | 5.87 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Cookeville, TN?
Cookeville has a cost index of 79 (100 = national average). It is 21% below the national average.
What is average rent in Cookeville, TN?
The median gross rent in Cookeville is $885 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Cookeville?
The median home value in Cookeville is $263,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Cookeville?
The median household income in Cookeville is $48,501 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Cookeville, TN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cookeville is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Is Cookeville, TN affordable?
Yes, Cookeville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 79 — about 21% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Cookeville?
Cookeville has average high temperatures of 64.6°F and average lows of 44.3°F. Annual precipitation is 59". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Cookeville at a Glance
- Population
- 35,544
- Median Income
- $48,501
- Home Value
- $263,800
- Median Rent
- $885/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.3%
- Avg High Temp
- 64.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 9.6%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Tennessee Rankings
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