Cost of Living in Sewanee, TN
Population 3,000 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Sewanee sits on the smaller end of the Tennessee city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. An unemployment rate of 0.0% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Sewanee is about 40 miles west of Chattanooga, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 46% higher than Chattanooga's $259,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Sewanee
The median home value in Sewanee is $377,200 — 24% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,186/month, 10% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $128,295/year is 72% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Sewanee has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.
Sewanee has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Sewanee, TN?
Sewanee has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.
What is average rent in Sewanee, TN?
The median gross rent in Sewanee is $1,186 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Sewanee?
The median home value in Sewanee is $377,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Sewanee?
The median household income in Sewanee is $128,295 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Sewanee, TN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sewanee is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Is Sewanee, TN affordable?
Sewanee is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).
Sewanee at a Glance
- Population
- 3,000
- Median Income
- $128,295
- Home Value
- $377,200
- Median Rent
- $1,186/mo
- Unemployment
- 0.0%
- Sales Tax
- 9.6%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Tennessee Rankings
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