What is the cost of living in Tennessee?

Tennessee has an average cost of living index of 90, which is 19% below the national average of 111. Average monthly rent across tracked cities is $1,545, and average median household income is $63,576.

What is the cheapest city in Tennessee?

Memphis is the most affordable city tracked in Tennessee, with a cost index of 72 and median rent of $1,234/month.

What is the most expensive city in Tennessee?

Nashville is the most expensive city tracked in Tennessee, with a cost index of 103 and median rent of $1,772/month.

What is the average rent in Tennessee?

The average monthly rent across 6 tracked cities in Tennessee is $1,545. The cheapest rent is in Memphis at $1,234/month.

What is the average household income in Tennessee?

The average median household income across tracked cities in Tennessee is $63,576. The highest-earning city is Murfreesboro at $76,241.

Is Tennessee affordable to live in?

Tennessee's average rent-to-income ratio is 29.7%. Financial advisors recommend keeping rent below 30% of gross income. Tennessee is generally considered affordable, with rent taking less than 30% of typical incomes.

Home/Tennessee

6 cities tracked

Tennessee

Compare affordability, taxes, rent pressure, and earnings across Tennessee’s tracked cities with a single state-level intelligence view.

All Rankings

Most affordable: Memphis

Highest income: Murfreesboro

Avg rent: $1,545

Avg Cost Index

0/ 100

State Population

Avg Income

Avg Rent

$0/mo

Avg Home Price

Tracked City Pop

State Intelligence Overview

Core metrics, city comparisons, and tax signals

Most Affordable

Memphis

Index: 72Rent: $1,234

Most Expensive

Nashville

Index: 103Rent: $1,772

Highest Income

Murfreesboro

$76,241Rent: $1,683

Tennessee vs National Average

Cost Index

-18.9% vs avg

Avg Rent

$1,545

-18.5% vs avg

Avg Income

$63,576

-20.9% vs avg

Cities in Tennessee

City	Cost	Rent	Income	Home Price	Pop	Rent/Inc
Nashville	103	$1,772	$75,197	$429,861	687,788	28.3%
Memphis	72	$1,234	$51,211	$142,870	618,639	28.9%
Knoxville	100	$1,708	$50,994	$363,688	198,162	40.2%
Chattanooga	88	$1,499	$61,028	$314,306	187,030	29.5%
Clarksville	80	$1,376	$66,786	$316,024	180,716	24.7%
Murfreesboro	98	$1,683	$76,241	$421,928	165,430	26.5%