Tennessee Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 95 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$860/mo
Average Home Value
$201,611
Average Owner Cost
$770/mo
▼26% below national average rentExplore on Map
At a Glance
Average Monthly Rent
$860/mo
26% below national median
Average Home Value
$201,611
28% below national median
Avg. Monthly Owner Cost
$770/mo
54% below national median
Affordability Rating
Affordable
Avg. rent under 30% of income
Housing Costs in Tennessee: An Overview
The median rent in Tennessee is $860 per month, which is 26% below the national median of $1,163. This makes the state relatively affordable compared to much of the country.
Within Tennessee, housing costs vary significantly by county. Williamson County is the most expensive county with a median rent of $1,895 per month and a median home value of $673,700. At the other end of the spectrum, Lake County offers the most affordable housing, with a median rent of $472 per month and homes valued at a median of $107,000.
The average home value across Tennessee counties is $201,611, 28% lower than the national median of $281,900. With a median household income of roughly $58,994, homeownership remains within reach for many households.
Before moving to Tennessee, it is worth understanding the local housing landscape. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties, so researching the specific county you plan to live in is essential. Use the county-level data below to compare rent, home values, and affordability ratings so you can budget accurately for your relocation.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Tennessee
How median rents are spread across 95 counties
Top 5 Most Expensive Counties
Williamson County
Tennessee
$1,895/mo
Home: $673,700
Rent/Income: 28.0%
Davidson County
Tennessee
$1,485/mo
Home: $386,600
Rent/Income: 30.0%
Rutherford County
Tennessee
$1,405/mo
Home: $346,400
Rent/Income: 30.0%
Wilson County
Tennessee
$1,370/mo
Home: $397,000
Rent/Income: 28.0%
Sumner County
Tennessee
$1,339/mo
Home: $364,000
Rent/Income: 29.0%
Top 5 Most Affordable Counties
Lake County
Tennessee
$472/mo
Home: $107,000
Rent/Income: 28.0%
Clay County
Tennessee
$546/mo
Home: $136,900
Rent/Income: 24.0%
Hancock County
Tennessee
$592/mo
Home: $118,000
Rent/Income: 31.0%
Fentress County
Tennessee
$614/mo
Home: $151,800
Rent/Income: 29.0%
Wayne County
Tennessee
$619/mo
Home: $126,600
Rent/Income: 36.0%
All Tennessee Counties
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson County | Expensive$1,895/mo | $673,700 | $2,024/mo | 28.0% |
| Davidson County | Moderate$1,485/mo | $386,600 | $1,458/mo | 30.0% |
| Rutherford County | Moderate$1,405/mo | $346,400 | $1,392/mo | 30.0% |
| Wilson County | Moderate$1,370/mo | $397,000 | $1,521/mo | 28.0% |
| Sumner County | Moderate$1,339/mo | $364,000 | $1,356/mo | 29.0% |
| Cheatham County | Moderate$1,274/mo | $291,400 | $1,155/mo | 25.0% |
| Montgomery County | Moderate$1,219/mo | $248,300 | $1,304/mo | 28.0% |
| Maury County | Moderate$1,206/mo | $307,500 | $1,103/mo | 28.0% |
| Knox County | Moderate$1,180/mo | $279,700 | $1,088/mo | 29.0% |
| Robertson County | Moderate$1,176/mo | $296,700 | $1,239/mo | 26.0% |
| Shelby County | Moderate$1,170/mo | $229,700 | $1,211/mo | 31.0% |
| Hamilton County | Moderate$1,163/mo | $282,100 | $1,082/mo | 28.0% |
| Madison County | Moderate$1,076/mo | $189,700 | $913/mo | 33.0% |
| Blount County | Moderate$1,042/mo | $275,700 | $969/mo | 25.0% |
| Sevier County | Moderate$1,013/mo | $259,500 | $750/mo | 25.0% |
| Tipton County | Moderate$1,007/mo | $220,100 | $1,064/mo | 26.0% |
| Loudon County | Affordable$995/mo | $292,600 | $904/mo | 24.0% |
| Dickson County | Affordable$972/mo | $272,700 | $1,021/mo | 23.0% |
| Anderson County | Affordable$960/mo | $215,800 | $878/mo | 27.0% |
| Bradley County | Affordable$959/mo | $230,800 | $953/mo | 28.0% |
| Washington County | Affordable$951/mo | $231,700 | $895/mo | 29.0% |
| Marshall County | Affordable$924/mo | $246,100 | $885/mo | 26.0% |
| Bedford County | Affordable$917/mo | $255,300 | $1,013/mo | 28.0% |
| Coffee County | Affordable$885/mo | $227,300 | $806/mo | 27.0% |
| Fayette County | Affordable$883/mo | $316,000 | $1,042/mo | 28.0% |
| Putnam County | Affordable$881/mo | $246,800 | $846/mo | 29.0% |
| Jefferson County | Affordable$880/mo | $210,000 | $767/mo | 24.0% |
| Hickman County | Affordable$877/mo | $192,000 | $778/mo | 27.0% |
| Smith County | Affordable$877/mo | $224,500 | $769/mo | 23.0% |
| Franklin County | Affordable$863/mo | $215,700 | $827/mo | 26.0% |
| Crockett County | Affordable$854/mo | $134,100 | $667/mo | 24.0% |
| Sullivan County | Affordable$850/mo | $190,800 | $737/mo | 27.0% |
| Union County | Affordable$849/mo | $186,300 | $680/mo | 26.0% |
| Meigs County | Affordable$845/mo | $185,500 | $564/mo | 27.0% |
| Sequatchie County | Affordable$842/mo | $217,800 | $603/mo | 39.0% |
| Marion County | Affordable$840/mo | $173,600 | $702/mo | 26.0% |
| Hamblen County | Affordable$838/mo | $188,800 | $731/mo | 29.0% |
| White County | Affordable$838/mo | $190,200 | $616/mo | 26.0% |
| Stewart County | Affordable$837/mo | $182,700 | $610/mo | 19.0% |
| Giles County | Affordable$836/mo | $204,100 | $773/mo | 23.0% |
| Overton County | Affordable$833/mo | $171,700 | $505/mo | 27.0% |
| Humphreys County | Affordable$830/mo | $186,900 | $679/mo | 26.0% |
| Cumberland County | Affordable$829/mo | $228,000 | $694/mo | 23.0% |
| Hardeman County | Affordable$818/mo | $116,800 | $748/mo | 31.0% |
| Henderson County | Affordable$812/mo | $156,000 | $592/mo | 25.0% |
| Macon County | Affordable$805/mo | $211,200 | $789/mo | 26.0% |
| Trousdale County | Affordable$805/mo | $284,100 | $1,025/mo | 24.0% |
| Jackson County | Affordable$804/mo | $135,200 | $468/mo | 35.0% |
| Gibson County | Affordable$797/mo | $149,700 | $785/mo | 27.0% |
| Rhea County | Affordable$796/mo | $178,500 | $652/mo | 25.0% |
| McMinn County | Affordable$792/mo | $190,400 | $746/mo | 26.0% |
| Benton County | Affordable$788/mo | $123,400 | $569/mo | 26.0% |
| Cocke County | Affordable$787/mo | $141,800 | $575/mo | 24.0% |
| Lincoln County | Affordable$782/mo | $209,100 | $766/mo | 22.0% |
| Cannon County | Affordable$781/mo | $227,600 | $627/mo | 27.0% |
| Bledsoe County | Affordable$779/mo | $165,400 | $463/mo | 24.0% |
| Warren County | Affordable$775/mo | $173,900 | $593/mo | 28.0% |
| DeKalb County | Affordable$773/mo | $206,600 | $799/mo | 31.0% |
| Hardin County | Affordable$770/mo | $154,000 | $597/mo | 26.0% |
| Obion County | Affordable$770/mo | $122,700 | $646/mo | 25.0% |
| Roane County | Affordable$767/mo | $212,300 | $842/mo | 28.0% |
| Dyer County | Affordable$760/mo | $159,500 | $747/mo | 25.0% |
| Weakley County | Affordable$760/mo | $136,300 | $599/mo | 26.0% |
| Carroll County | Affordable$757/mo | $122,100 | $587/mo | 26.0% |
| Pickett County | Affordable$755/mo | $162,200 | $505/mo | 23.0% |
| Perry County | Affordable$747/mo | $113,800 | $505/mo | 24.0% |
| Moore County | Affordable$746/mo | $259,300 | $913/mo | 26.0% |
| Hawkins County | Affordable$744/mo | $166,900 | $600/mo | 25.0% |
| Morgan County | Affordable$742/mo | $144,000 | $585/mo | 28.0% |
| Henry County | Affordable$741/mo | $145,200 | $606/mo | 24.0% |
| Carter County | Affordable$738/mo | $157,200 | $542/mo | 25.0% |
| Claiborne County | Affordable$736/mo | $148,000 | $536/mo | 27.0% |
| Lawrence County | Affordable$736/mo | $176,700 | $695/mo | 27.0% |
| Lewis County | Affordable$735/mo | $157,800 | $701/mo | 26.0% |
| Lauderdale County | Affordable$729/mo | $122,100 | $699/mo | 28.0% |
| Grainger County | Affordable$726/mo | $172,000 | $518/mo | 29.0% |
| Haywood County | Affordable$725/mo | $119,600 | $687/mo | 29.0% |
| Grundy County | Affordable$723/mo | $133,400 | $551/mo | 27.0% |
| Decatur County | Affordable$716/mo | $133,900 | $552/mo | 23.0% |
| Campbell County | Affordable$715/mo | $169,500 | $725/mo | 26.0% |
| Chester County | Affordable$714/mo | $155,200 | $692/mo | 24.0% |
| Greene County | Affordable$713/mo | $186,400 | $654/mo | 24.0% |
| McNairy County | Affordable$706/mo | $151,100 | $600/mo | 23.0% |
| Van Buren County | Affordable$705/mo | $149,200 | $590/mo | 23.0% |
| Monroe County | Affordable$699/mo | $199,700 | $629/mo | 28.0% |
| Scott County | Affordable$691/mo | $116,800 | $499/mo | 26.0% |
| Houston County | Affordable$685/mo | $150,100 | $612/mo | 22.0% |
| Polk County | Affordable$668/mo | $136,400 | $587/mo | 30.0% |
| Unicoi County | Affordable$665/mo | $168,200 | $648/mo | 30.0% |
| Johnson County | Affordable$639/mo | $175,500 | $453/mo | 27.0% |
| Wayne County | Affordable$619/mo | $126,600 | $537/mo | 36.0% |
| Fentress County | Affordable$614/mo | $151,800 | $506/mo | 29.0% |
| Hancock County | Affordable$592/mo | $118,000 | $395/mo | 31.0% |
| Clay County | Affordable$546/mo | $136,900 | $466/mo | 24.0% |
| Lake County | Affordable$472/mo | $107,000 | $559/mo | 28.0% |
Compare Tennessee to Other States
See how Tennessee counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in Tennessee?
Lake County is among the most affordable counties in Tennessee with a median rent of $472 per month.
What is the most expensive county to live in Tennessee?
Williamson County is among the most expensive counties in Tennessee with a median rent of $1,895 per month and a median home value of $673,700.
How does Tennessee's cost of living compare to the national average?
Tennessee's average monthly rent of $860 is 26% below the national median of $1,163.
What is the average home value in Tennessee?
The average home value across all Tennessee counties is $201,611.
Sponsored
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Tennessee, Tennessee? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.