Cost of Living in Tennessee
28 cities • 3,084,475 total population • 2026 Data
$80,139
Avg. Median Income
+4% vs national
$1,331
Avg. Median Rent
-1% vs national
$329,704
Avg. Home Value
-3% vs national
4.4%
Avg. Unemployment
Overview
Tennessee has 28 cities with populations over 25,000, totaling 3,084,475 residents. The average median household income across these cities is $80,139, which is 4% above the national median.
Rent averages $1,331 per month, and the average home value is $329,704. The largest city is Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), while Bristol offers the lowest rent and Brentwood has the highest.
Most Affordable Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Rent | Median Income | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol | $764 | $55,007 | $182,500 |
| 2 | Kingsport | $843 | $50,436 | $203,000 |
| 3 | Morristown | $855 | $44,811 | $155,700 |
| 4 | Cookeville | $885 | $48,501 | $263,800 |
| 5 | Johnson City | $957 | $55,429 | $238,000 |
Most Expensive Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Rent | Median Income | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brentwood | $2,497 | $184,720 | $926,700 |
| 2 | Mount Juliet | $1,875 | $107,847 | $423,000 |
| 3 | Franklin | $1,861 | $115,000 | $646,300 |
| 4 | Germantown | $1,760 | $144,799 | $441,200 |
| 5 | Spring Hill | $1,738 | $106,658 | $452,400 |
Highest Income Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Income | Median Rent | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brentwood | $184,720 | $2,497 | 45,272 |
| 2 | Germantown | $144,799 | $1,760 | 40,812 |
| 3 | Collierville | $134,319 | $1,574 | 51,212 |
| 4 | Franklin | $115,000 | $1,861 | 85,575 |
| 5 | Mount Juliet | $107,847 | $1,875 | 40,828 |
All Cities in Tennessee
| City | Population | Income | Rent | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance) | 684,298 | $75,197 | $1,486 | $383,100 |
| Memphis | 629,063 | $51,211 | $1,123 | $157,100 |
| Knoxville | 193,721 | $50,994 | $1,116 | $214,000 |
| Chattanooga | 182,832 | $61,028 | $1,155 | $259,200 |
| Clarksville | 171,897 | $66,786 | $1,215 | $236,100 |
| Murfreesboro | 157,547 | $76,241 | $1,376 | $365,100 |
| Franklin | 85,575 | $115,000 | $1,861 | $646,300 |
| Johnson City | 71,455 | $55,429 | $957 | $238,000 |
| Jackson | 68,098 | $51,552 | $1,094 | $195,000 |
| Hendersonville | 62,390 | $91,503 | $1,552 | $396,500 |
| Bartlett | 56,998 | $100,660 | $1,658 | $283,700 |
| Kingsport | 55,807 | $50,436 | $843 | $203,000 |
| Smyrna | 55,066 | $78,409 | $1,366 | $326,700 |
| Spring Hill | 53,585 | $106,658 | $1,738 | $452,400 |
| Collierville | 51,212 | $134,319 | $1,574 | $458,300 |
| Cleveland | 48,185 | $55,904 | $966 | $241,800 |
| Gallatin | 46,667 | $73,589 | $1,299 | $343,700 |
| Brentwood | 45,272 | $184,720 | $2,497 | $926,700 |
| Columbia | 43,971 | $61,204 | $1,092 | $261,700 |
| Lebanon | 41,951 | $71,320 | $1,210 | $359,300 |
| Mount Juliet | 40,828 | $107,847 | $1,875 | $423,000 |
| Germantown | 40,812 | $144,799 | $1,760 | $441,200 |
| La Vergne | 38,944 | $80,418 | $1,714 | $273,700 |
| Cookeville | 35,544 | $48,501 | $885 | $263,800 |
| Maryville | 32,196 | $79,340 | $1,149 | $310,600 |
| Oak Ridge | 32,088 | $71,000 | $1,076 | $233,500 |
| Morristown | 30,983 | $44,811 | $855 | $155,700 |
| Bristol | 27,490 | $55,007 | $764 | $182,500 |
Data Sources
All data from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. State averages calculated from cities with population over 25,000.