Cost of Living in Trenton, TN

Population 4,175 · 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

Trenton is a smaller Tennessee community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $50,645 and housing costs ($131,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Around 23% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, Trenton lies roughly 85 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Memphis. Median home values run roughly 17% lower than Memphis' $157,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 43
Rent 62

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

About the Cost of Living in Trenton

The median home value in Trenton is $130,900 — 57% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $816/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,645/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 14.7%, 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 70.4°F and lows of 49.8°F. Overall, Trenton has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$130,900
57% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$186,915
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$816/mo
38% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4x
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 38.5%
Renter-occupied 61.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$816
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,430/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
28.7 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
94.5%
Carpooled
3.7%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
1.5%

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
$50,645
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$22,134
Unemployment Rate
14.7%
206% above avg
Poverty Rate
23.2%
Labor Force Participation
53.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.5%
Graduate degree 4.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.2
Male median age 35.3
Female median age 42.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
70.4°F
Avg Low
49.8°F
Annual Precip
53.2"
20° 40° 60° 80° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 475261718088909084736050
Low °F 293240496068716961493833
Precip" 3.804.565.875.085.384.474.293.272.644.164.545.19

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,331
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Trenton, TN?

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

What is average rent in Trenton, TN?

The median gross rent in Trenton is $816 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Trenton?

The median home value in Trenton is $130,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Trenton?

The median household income in Trenton is $50,645 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Trenton, TN?

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

Is Trenton, TN affordable?

Yes, Trenton 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 Trenton?

Trenton has average high temperatures of 70.4°F and average lows of 49.8°F. Annual precipitation is 53.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Trenton at a Glance

Population
4,175
Median Income
$50,645
Home Value
$130,900
Median Rent
$816/mo
Unemployment
14.7%
Avg High Temp
70.4°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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