Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Cookeville, TN?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.5% of gross income.
Cookeville rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Tennessee state estimate).
About rent and a carpenter salary
Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Tennessee cities have lower median rent than Cookeville, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Cookeville
View full rent data for Cookeville, TN →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Cookeville, TN?
Median rent in Cookeville is $1,564 a month. A typical carpenter in Tennessee earns about $56,065 a year, which makes that rent 33.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Cookeville?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in Tennessee (~$56,065/yr) supports up to $1,402 a month in rent. Cookeville's current median rent is $1,564/mo, which is $162/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Cookeville?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a carpenter in Tennessee works roughly 58 hours a month to cover Cookeville's median rent of $1,564.
Where is rent cheaper than Cookeville for a carpenter?
Nearby Tennessee cities with lower median rent include Hendersonville ($1,563/mo), Hendersonville ($1,562/mo), Hendersonville ($1,562/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.