| Index | Cookeville | Tennessee | National |
| Cost of living | 94 | 92 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 89 | 80 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 97 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Cookeville? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Cookeville stands at 94, making it 6% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Cookeville is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 7 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Cookeville and this is how they responded. 29% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 71% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Cookeville an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Cookeville is 6.6% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 22.7% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Cookeville has a median household income of $60,434, which is 25.7% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Cookeville, the housing index is 11.5% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Cookeville, the healthcare costs are 3.5% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Cookeville comes in at 3.9% lower than the national average.
The Cookeville cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $100,886 | $8,407 | $2,354 | $3,027 |
| Renters | $40,487 | $3,374 | $945 | $1,215 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Tennessee | 7% | 9.75% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Tennessee | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Gainesboro, TN | 1,010 | 85 | 14.7% |
| Monterey, TN | 2,927 | 88 | 12.5% |
| Baxter, TN | 1,579 | 88 | 11.9% |
| Sparta, TN | 5,117 | 89 | 10.6% |
| Algood, TN | 4,555 | 90 | 9.8% |
| Cookeville, TN | 34,916 | 94 | 6.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| San Luis, AZ | 34,910 | 92 | 8.1% |
| Cottonwood Heights, UT | 34,939 | 130 | 30.1% |
| Dana Point, CA | 34,877 | 207 | 106.9% |
| Glendale Heights, IL | 34,961 | 107 | 6.6% |
| Sorel-Tracy, QC | 34,850 | n/a | |
| Cookeville, TN | 34,916 | 94 | 6.0% |