Cost of Living in Smithville, TN

Population 5,158 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

51
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $29,507, median household incomes in Smithville land roughly 60% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. Around 38% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Smithville is about 35 miles east of Murfreesboro, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 58% lower than Murfreesboro's $365,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 50
Rent 51

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Smithville

The median home value in Smithville is $153,500 — 50% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $676/month, 49% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $29,507/year is 60% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.3%, above 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, Smithville has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$153,500
50% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$278,386
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$676/mo
49% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$809
2 BR
$948
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR
$1,510
Owner-occupied 48.0%
Renter-occupied 52.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$676
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,290/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
19.1 min
29% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
0

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.7%
Carpooled
27.8%
Walked
1.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.6%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$29,507
60% below avg
Per Capita Income
$17,349
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
52% above avg
Poverty Rate
38.3%
Labor Force Participation
44.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.2%
Graduate degree 5.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.3
Male median age 35.5
Female median age 43.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.6°F
Avg Low
44.3°F
Annual Precip
59"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 444856657379828277675647
Low °F 262936435260636255433529
Precip" 5.105.765.765.564.845.094.913.894.253.384.625.87

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 37 — Good
94.6%
Good air days/yr
90
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
352
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

92%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
2,965
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Smithville, TN?

Smithville has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.

What is average rent in Smithville, TN?

The median gross rent in Smithville is $676 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Smithville?

The median home value in Smithville is $153,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Smithville?

The median household income in Smithville is $29,507 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Smithville, TN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Smithville is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Is Smithville, TN affordable?

Yes, Smithville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Smithville?

Smithville 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.

Smithville at a Glance

Population
5,158
Median Income
$29,507
Home Value
$153,500
Median Rent
$676/mo
Unemployment
7.3%
Avg High Temp
64.6°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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