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ZIP Code · TN

ZIP 38501

Pop. 42,471·Putnam County·96th most expensive ZIP in Tennessee
Median rent (all units)
$1,500/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.9%
vs US Median
-$465
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 38501 · $1,500
More affordable than 74% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$770
1 BR
$840
2 BR
$1,040
3 BR
$1,440
4 BR+
$1,590
Research median
$1,040/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,000/yr
At $1,500/mo median
Location
StateTN
CountyPutnam County
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.9% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 38501 (Cookeville, TN) is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 31.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
42,471
Median income
$52,145
Median age
31.4
Renters
51.1%
Age distribution
19.3%
35.4%
21.6%
14.2%
Under 1819.3%
18–3435.4%
35–5421.6%
55–649.5%
65+14.2%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
82.6%
White82.6%
Black3.9%
Hispanic9.5%
Asian1.3%
Other2.6%
Education (25+)
30%
28.2%
31.4%
No HS diploma10.4%
HS diploma30%
Some college28.2%
Bachelor's+31.4%
Housing tenure
48.9%
51.1%
Owner48.9%
Renter51.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 38501 in Cookeville, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$44,801 → $52,145
up 16.4%
Population
40,513 → 42,471
up 4.8%
Renter share
49.3% → 51.1%
+1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
27.9% → 31.4%
+3.5 pts
Median age
32.5 → 31.4
-1.1 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 38501 in Cookeville, TN now reports about $52,145, up from $44,801 in 2021. Census counts show ZIP 38501 in Cookeville, TN adding about 1,958 residents over the five-year window, up 4.8% on net. The renter share has risen from 49.3% to 51.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 27.9% to 31.4% across the same window.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 38501

About renting in ZIP 38501

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 38501 covers Cookeville, TN. The median rent here is $1,500/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $840/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,040/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($52,145/yr), ZIP 38501 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 38501?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 38501 (Cookeville, TN) is $1,500. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 38501 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 38501's median rent of $1,500/mo is $465 (24%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 38501 compare to other ZIPs in Tennessee?

ZIP 38501 falls in the middle range for Tennessee, ranking #96 out of 145 ZIPs at $1,500/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 38501?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,500/mo in ZIP 38501. The local median household income is $52,145/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 38501?

Rent in ZIP 38501 has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 20, 2026.

Is ZIP 38501 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 38501 is considered moderate for renters. At $1,500/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($52,145/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 38501 slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

What percentage of ZIP 38501 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.1% of ZIP 38501 households are renters, while 48.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 38501 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 38501 compare to the rest of Cookeville?

ZIP 38501 is more affordable than Cookeville overall. At $1,500/mo, it's $64 below the Cookeville citywide median of $1,564/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 38501 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 38501 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
35%
MODERATE

At $1,500/mo, rent takes ~35% of ZIP 38501's median household income ($52,145/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 38501 35%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 38501 (Cookeville, TN)

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