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City · 36,088 residents · Putnam County, Tennessee

Cookeville , Tennessee

In Cookeville, a typical home is worth $305,400 and typical rent is $917 a month. Compared with all of Putnam County, typical household income is 13% lower, the typical home value is 8% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 20 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $305,400

    8% above the county

    7% above Tennessee

    • Cookeville
    • Putnam
    • Tennessee

  • Typical rent

    $917a month

    About the same as the county

    23% below Tennessee

    • Cookeville
    • Putnam
    • Tennessee

  • Typical household income

    $51,375a year

    13% below the county

    26% below Tennessee

    • Cookeville
    • Putnam
    • Tennessee

  • Households that own their home

    41%

    20 points below the county

    26 points below Tennessee

    • Cookeville
    • Putnam
    • Tennessee

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$318,964
1.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,480 a month
2.2% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Cookeville is in Putnam County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Putnam County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Cookeville apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Cookeville has the 2nd lowest homeownership rate of the 113 cities in Tennessee with more than 5,000 people (41%).

  2. Nearby, in McMinnville, the typical home value is $182,200: 40% less than in Cookeville ($305,400).

  3. Nearby, in Smithville, the typical rent is $740: 19% less than in Cookeville ($917).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Cookeville

What homes there are in Cookeville, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Cookeville there is a bit of everything: no kind of home reaches half. The most common are detached houses (49%); in Putnam County, 65%.

Year built

By age, homes in Cookeville look like those in Putnam County: the typical year built is 1991.

Homes in Cookeville are smaller: 51% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Putnam County, 64%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

About 84% of owner-occupied homes in Cookeville are worth less than the FHA loan limit for Putnam County ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Putnam County is $1,102; about 66% of rents in Cookeville are below it.

With a mortgage

$1,520 a month

Putnam County: $1,450 a month

Without a mortgage

$477 a month

Putnam County: $446 a month

Owners with a mortgage

57%

Putnam County: 55%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Cookeville is $1,520 a month, near the figure in Putnam County ($1,450).

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Cookeville rose 83%; in Putnam County, it rose 77%.

The typical rent in Cookeville rose 26% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Putnam County (27%).

To compare: typical income in Cookeville rose 34%; the home, +83%; the rent, +26%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureCookevillePutnam CountyTennesseeUnited States
Rental vacancy 4.5%5.2%6.1%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room 2.5%2.1%2.2%3.4%
People per household 2.212.352.452.53
Drive alone 77%79%76%69%
Carpool 8%9%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0%3%
Walk or bike 4%2%1%3%
Work from home 11%10%13%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Putnam County, the rental vacancy rate in Cookeville is 4.5%.

In Cookeville, 2.5% of households live with more than one person per room, about the same as in Putnam County.

Households in Cookeville are smaller: 2.21 people on average; in Putnam County, 2.35.

In Cookeville, 77% of workers drive alone to work; in Putnam County, 79%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Cookeville?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Cookeville, worth $305,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 57% of the typical household income in Cookeville, which is $51,375 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $103,975 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Putnam County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Cookeville. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $10,689 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,426

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$299,868
Total interest
$431,440
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,157 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,199 a month

  • Tight

    $1,199 to $1,541 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,541 a month

    Your payment · 57%

Compared with the typical household income in Cookeville ($51,375 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,426
Principal & interest$2,031
Property tax$132
Home insurance$127
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$135

You need at least $10,689 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Cookeville and Putnam County

Cookeville is in Putnam County, Tennessee. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Cookeville's own numbers

Typical home value
$305,400
Typical monthly rent
$917
Typical yearly household income
$51,375
Households that own their home
41%
Effective property tax rate
0.52%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Putnam County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,102
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+66%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.4%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Putnam County.

Everything about Putnam County

Buying

Buying a home in Cookeville

A typical home in Cookeville is worth $305,400: 8% above the county and 7% above Tennessee. With the typical household income in Cookeville ($51,375 a year), a typical home costs 5.9 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Cookeville 5.9 years
  • Putnam 4.8 years
  • Tennessee 4.1 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Putnam County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Putnam County rose 116% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Putnam County.

Period County Tennessee U.S.
Last year (2025) +2.9% +2.4% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +66% +60% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +116% +114% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Cookeville next to Putnam County, Tennessee and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Cookeville $305,400
  • Putnam $282,500
  • Tennessee $286,700
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Cookeville $917
  • Putnam $908
  • Tennessee $1,189
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Cookeville $51,375
  • Putnam $58,912
  • Tennessee $69,595
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Cookeville next to Putnam County and Tennessee
Measure Cookeville Putnam County Tennessee U.S.
Typical home value $305,400 $282,500 $286,700 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $917 $908 $1,189 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $51,375 $58,912 $69,595 $80,734
Households that own their home 41% 61% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,590 $1,363 $1,442 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.52% 0.48% 0.5% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 51% 49% 49% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Putnam County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Cookeville

For a typical $305,400 home in Cookeville, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Cookeville's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,426a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $10,689
    Cash to close
    $19,851
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $135

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,370a month

    Down payment
    $15,270
    Cash to close
    $24,432
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $145

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,915a month

    Down payment
    $61,080
    Cash to close
    $70,242
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,197a month

    Down payment
    $45,810
    Cash to close
    $54,972
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Cookeville and for Putnam County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Cookeville

0.52%of the home’s value each year

$1,590 a year for the typical owner in Cookeville.

  • Cookeville 0.52%
  • Putnam 0.48%
  • Tennessee 0.5%

What Tennessee publishes Property tax relief for older, disabled and disabled-veteran homeowners (Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, 2026 Property Tax Relief Program brochure)

Exemptions and deadlines in Tennessee

Flood risk in Putnam County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Putnam County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.4%
116
Of those, with NFIP insurance
14%
County Tennessee U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.4% 1.6% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 14% 25% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Cookeville

Typical rent in Cookeville is $917 a month: about the same as the county. In Cookeville, 51% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Putnam County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,102 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $21.19 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Putnam County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $799 $15.37 $31,960
1 bedroom $887 $17.06 $35,480
2 bedrooms $1,102 $21.19 $44,080
3 bedrooms $1,502 $28.88 $60,080
4 bedrooms $1,564 $30.08 $62,560

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Cookeville

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Cookeville has 4 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,100 in 38503 to $1,250 in 38506.

3 of the 4 are above the fair market rent for Putnam County ($1,102).

  • 38501 $1,120$1,530
  • 38503 $1,100$1,500
  • 38505 $1,120$1,530
  • 38506 $1,250$1,680

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Cookeville when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Cookeville

HUD lists 14 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Cookeville. These are the largest.

  • Cookeville RAD Development 706 Pine Ave, Cookeville 38501 207 low-income homes · For families
  • Walnut Village Apartments 201 S Walnut Ave, Cookeville 38501 80 low-income homes · 1 bd: 66 · 2 bd: 14 · In service since 2020 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families (931) 528-7605
  • Cane Creek Apts (cookeville) 2500 W Jackson St, Cookeville 38501 76 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 35 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2009 · For people with disabilities, families
  • Greenwood Place 265 Quinland Lake Rd, Cookeville 38506 64 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2016 · For families
  • Quinland Ridge Apartments 394 4th Ave N, Cookeville 38506 64 low-income homes · Studio: 1 · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 47 · In service since 2017 · For older adults

See all 20 buildings in Putnam County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Cookeville

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Putnam County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A young woman and a young man point to a line in their notes beside a laptop in a library.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Cookeville

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Cookeville or Putnam County. The ones below are statewide in Tennessee: they work in Cookeville the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Tennessee

  • Great Choice Plus

    Statewide in Tennessee

    Tennessee state agency help with the down payment and closing costs alongside the Great Choice mortgage: $6,000 or $10,000 forgivable over 10 years with no payments, or up to 5% of the price (maximum $15,000) as a 30-year second mortgage. Offered by Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA).

    ForgivableRepayable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Cookeville

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Cookeville, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Crossville Housing Authority

    67 Irwin Ave, Crossville · 30 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (931) 484-2990

  • Unlimited Potential CDC

    260 E Winchester St, Gallatin · 54 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 1 more
    (615) 230-5906

  • You Can Make It Home Ownership Center, Inc.

    660 Fitzhugh Blvd Ste 105, Smyrna · 56 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    (615) 355-0005

All counseling agencies in Tennessee

Help in Spanish near Cookeville

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Cookeville

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Putnam County is named for Cookeville or Putnam County.

One other authority has an office in Putnam County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Cookeville, with the typical home value.

Everything about Putnam County Housing in Tennessee

Neighboring counties

If Putnam County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Cookeville.

All guides
A father smiles as he carries his baby on his shoulders outdoors.

Questions

Housing questions about Cookeville

Short answers with the numbers for Cookeville and all of Putnam County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Cookeville?

The typical home value in Cookeville is $305,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Putnam County it is $282,500.

How much does it cost to rent in Cookeville?

Typical rent in Cookeville is $917 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Putnam County is $1,102.

What is the FHA loan limit in Cookeville?

Cookeville uses the FHA limit for all of Putnam County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Cookeville?

The typical homeowner in Cookeville pays $1,590 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.52% of the home’s value; in Putnam County, the rate is 0.48%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Cookeville?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Putnam County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).