How much does it cost to rent in Cookeville, TN?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Cookeville, TN is $1,564. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Cookeville cheaper than other Tennessee cities?

Cookeville falls in the middle range for Tennessee, ranking #42 out of 65 cities at $1,564/mo.

When was Cookeville rent data last updated?

Cookeville rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · TN

Cookeville

Name: Average Rent Prices in Cookeville, TN
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 36,088·42nd most expensive in Tennessee·Rental market data updated monthly for Cookeville, TN

Median rent (all units)

$1,564/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.7%

Month-over-Month

+3.2%

vs US Median

-$401

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Cookeville · $1,564

More affordable than 72% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

65/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Cookeville's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,564/mo

Expected by trend

$1,687/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cookeville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$760

1 BR

$790

2 BR

$1,010

3 BR

$1,380

4 BR+

$1,580

Research median

$1,010/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$18,768/yr

At $1,564/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (0.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.7% YoY, +3.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Cookeville, TN is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 34.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

36,088

Median income

$51,375

Median age

29.8

Renters

58.9%

Age distribution

18.7%

38.8%

20.2%

13.7%

Under 1818.7%

18–3438.8%

35–5420.2%

55–648.6%

65+13.7%

Gender

49.9%

50.1%

Male49.9%

Female50.1%

Race & ethnicity

81.2%

12%

White81.2%

Black3.5%

Hispanic12%

Asian1.9%

Other1.3%

Education (25+)

26.6%

27%

34.8%

No HS diploma11.6%

HS diploma26.6%

Some college27%

Bachelor's+34.8%

Housing tenure

41.1%

58.9%

Owner41.1%

Renter58.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Cookeville, TN has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,364 → $1,564

up 14.7%

Income

$43,611 → $51,375

up 17.8%

Population

34,068 → 36,088

up 5.9%

Renter share

59% → 58.9%

-0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

34.8% → 34.8%

+0.0 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Cookeville, TN has shifted from $1,364 to $1,564, up 14.7% since 2022. Median household income climbed from $43,611 to $51,375 between 2021 and 2024, a 17.8% shift. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Cookeville, TN adding about 2,020 residents over the five-year window, up 5.9% on net. Taken together, the five-year picture in Cookeville, TN reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Cookeville rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cookeville on your salary?

At $1,564/mo, how Cookeville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 21.6% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 30.4% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 26.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 14.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 11.6% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 32.5% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 36% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 29.2% income

affordable

By apartment size

Cookeville rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Cookeville. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cookeville

About renting in Cookeville, TN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cookeville is $1,564/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $760/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $790/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,380/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($51,375/yr), Cookeville ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cookeville an affordable city for renters?

Cookeville is considered moderate for renters. At $1,564/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($51,375/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cookeville slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Cookeville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,564/mo in Cookeville. The local median household income is $51,375/yr, meaning the typical Cookeville household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cookeville?

Rent in Cookeville has decreased 0.7% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Cookeville rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Cookeville is middle-of-the-pack for Tennessee for rent, ranking #42 out of 65 tracked cities at $1,564/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cookeville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cookeville ($1,564/mo): Dayton ($815/mo), Glasgow ($981/mo), Smithville ($1,400/mo).

What percentage of Cookeville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 58.9% of Cookeville households are renters, while 41.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Cookeville has a strong rental market.

How does Cookeville rent compare to the national average?

Cookeville's median rent of $1,564/mo is $401 (20%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #42 out of 65 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

37%

MODERATE

At $1,564/mo, rent takes ~37% of Cookeville's median household income ($51,375/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cookeville 37%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Cookeville affordability calculator →

Nearby cities