Skyline of Cookeville
Cost of Living: 88 35,000

Cookeville, TN, US

Upper Cumberland hub with Tennessee Tech University and Burgess Falls State Park.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 88

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 92

Affordable

Median Income $48,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.2%

Job market health

Cookeville vs US Average

Cost of Living
Cookeville: 88
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Cookeville: 92
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $48,000
  • Unemployment: 3.2%
  • Population: 35,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 210/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $250,000
  • 1BR Rent: $950/mo

Cost of Living

Cookeville's cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100).

CategoryCookevilleNational AverageDifference
Overall88100-12.0%
Housing92100-8.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$250,000
Median Rent (1BR)$950/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,188/mo
Price per Sq Ft$166

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
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$90,000 down
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Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Cookeville:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$98Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$49Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$4Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$291Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Cookeville scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
88
Rent
$950
Sunny Days
210
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.2%
Climate
88°F / 30°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
35,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Cookeville has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April73°F45°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Cookeville faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Dixie Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

River flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Landslide High Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 9.5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.67% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Schools & Education

100/100
School Quality Score
?
15
Total Schools

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cookeville, TN, US?

The cost of living index in Cookeville is 88, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Cookeville?

The median home price in Cookeville is $250,000. The housing index is 92.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Cookeville is approximately $950/mo.

Does Cookeville, TN have income tax?

Cookeville is in TN, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Cookeville?

Cookeville enjoys approximately 210 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.