6 Cheapest Places to Live in Tennessee, 2022

Tennessee boasts stunning mountain views, waterfront fun, bustling cities, and rural settings. Before heading to the Volunteer State, you should brush up on the cost of living and the average apartment costs in different regions.

With a varied economy and plenty to see and do, some of the cheapest places to live in Tennessee are also among the best. Learn more about the most affordable areas in Tennessee and what to expect from rents to the vibe.

Note: The data provided below comes from our rent estimates. These numbers expand beyond those listed on our platform. For further information, learn about our methodology.

Tennessee Average Rent Prices

Before looking for cheap apartments in Tennessee, learn more about the average rent prices.

• The average rent for a Tennessee studio apartment is: $1,344.11
• The average rent for a Tennessee 1-bedroom apartment is: $1,251.64
• The average rent for a Tennessee 2-bedroom apartment is: $1,467.17
• The average rent for a Tennessee 3-bedroom apartment is: $1,862.27

1. Memphis

• Population: 633,104
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,207.67
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 15.38%
• Median Household Income: $41,864
• Walk score: 35
• Transit score: 22
• Bike score: 41

Memphis was founded in 1819 on land inhabited by the Chickasaw Native Americans. The future President, Andrew Jackson, was among its founders. The area developed into a major cotton trading center and lumber market. As Memphis grew, it became an integral location for the Civil Rights movement. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis at the Lorraine Motel.

Memphis' musical history with greats like Isaac Hayes, B.B. King, and Elvis Presley turned the city into a beacon for blues lovers. Today, Memphis still retains its musical roots and independent spirit with an inexpensive price tag. Transportation and warehousing, health care and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing are among the top industries in Memphis. The population is predominantly African American, and the city's median age is 34 years old, making Memphis an ideal place to grow a career or family.

Despite its reputation for music and urban living, Memphis is also home to green spaces like the Greenbelt Park with a serene riverfront. Shelby Farms Park is ideal for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Overton Park attracts visitors to its zoo and golf course.

With so much history and culture, there's plenty to do without leaving the city limits. Must-see stops in Memphis include Graceland, Sun Studio, theNational Civil Rights Museum, and Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. For soul food cuisine that Martin Luther King Jr. enjoyed, stop by The Four-Way Soul Food Restaurant, frequented by locals and celebrities alike. For a catfish basket and po'boys, try the Soul Fish Cafe.

Learn more about the average rent in Memphis.

2. Gallatin

• Population: 44,431
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,222.60
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 20.83%
• Median Household Income: $60,930
• Walk score: 24
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 36

Gallatin was founded in 1802 in the Middle Tennessee region of the state. The area was named for Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin, who served under President Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Despite an initial desire to stay neutral, Gallatin supported the Confederacy and helped defend the state.

Gallatin's low cost of living and laid-back lifestyle make it an ideal choice for college graduates and young professionals. Major employers include local government and the public school system, Sumner Regional Medical Center, Gap Inc., Volunteer State Community College, and Samick Musical Instruments.

Gallatin is filled with green space, parks, and trails, including Bledsoe Creek State Park. Local 4 Park features a peaceful backdrop with lake views. For disc golf, softball, and soccer, locals head to the fields at Gallatin Triple Creek Park. You can also spend the afternoon biking, fishing, or kayaking at the park.

Get a historical look at the city at the Douglass-Clark House, built around 1786. It was once used as one of the country's earliest courthouses. Or attend an event or tour at the Palace Theatre, which dates back to 1913 and is among the oldest silent movie theaters still standing. Gallatin stays true to its Southern roots with spots like Top Hog BBQ for ribs. The cozy Chocolate Covered Strawberries serve its namesake treat on the side of every order.

Learn more about the average rent in Gallatin.

3. Chattanooga

• Population: 181,099
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,368.50
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 17.64%
• Median Household Income: $47,165
• Walk score: 29
• Transit score: 18
• Bike score: 35

Chattanooga was once home to Native Americans, including the Cherokee, before being forced to relocate to Oklahoma via the Trail of Tears. During the 1850s, the railroad arrived, and Chattanooga became a boomtown and boasted river commerce.

As Tennessee's fourth-largest city, Chattanooga is rapidly growing while retaining a relatively low cost of living. The greater metro area is home to health care and social assistance, manufacturing, retail trade, mining, and enterprise management. The median age in Chattanooga is 37.5 years old, and the city is home to a growing number of families and young professionals.

Mountain views and nearby outdoor wanders surround Chattanooga's cozy downtown. Spend the afternoons hiking Lookout Mountain, kayaking at Chickamauga Lake, or visiting the Nature Center and Arboretum. Chattanooga also boasts a riverwalk and shallow canals downtown. The fountains and canals are chlorinated, and locals cool off their feet while kids splash and play.

Downtown Chattanooga is walkable, although you'll need a car to take advantage of everything the city offers. Top attractions include the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery, and the Hunter Museum of American Art. For a unique Chattanooga experience, Raccoon Mountains Caverns features a stunning cave ecosystem and gem mining.

Chattanooga has a growing food scene, with spots like Whitebird for upscale Appalachian cuisine. Lil Mama's Chicago Style Hoagy features Chicago-style hoagies. For cocktails and pineapple-banana cake, Proof Bar and Incubator serves specialties like bubble-gum-infused vodka. Atlanta is also less than two hours from Chattanooga, opening up more opportunities for entertainment and culture.

Learn more about the average rent in Chattanooga.

4. Knoxville

• Population: 190,740
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,418.67
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 28.06%
• Median Household Income: $41,598
• Walk score: 31
• Transit score: 27
• Bike score: 30

Like the rest of Tennessee and much of the south, Knoxville was originally home to Native Americans. Early settlers came to the area in 1786, including James White. The site quickly grew and soon became the capital of the early Southwest Territory. Blount College, now known as the University of Tennessee, was founded in Knoxville in 1794.

Knoxville is a desirable place for newcomers with a low cost of living and gorgeous nature spots. The median age in Knoxville is 32.7 years, but it also attracts scores of college students and graduates from the University of Tennessee. Healthcare, public school education, retail, manufacturing, and the University of Tennessee are among the city's largest employers.

Knoxville is known as the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, making it a stunning place to live, work, and play. The city's urban wilderness offers places for hiking, biking, running, paddling, climbing, swimming, and fishing just miles from downtown. Baker Creek Preserve, Forks of the River, High Ground Park, Ijams Nature Center, and Quarries are just a few spots for weekend fun.

Knoxville's locals are fiercely loyal to its college sports, and newcomers need to arrive with their UT gear ready to go. For a walk through town, Market Square offers venues, restaurants, pubs, and cafes. The Tennessee Theatre dates back to 1928 and is the region's leading performing arts facility.

It's easy to eat and drink your way through Knoxville. The Schulz Bräu Brewing Company features German-style beers and authentic, freshly made dishes. Jackie's Dream serves fried green tomatoes, collard greens, and candied yams for Southern soul food. For a rooftop drink, Preservation Pub features over 300 beers, live music, and pub food.

Learn more about the average rent in Knoxville.

5. Clarksville

• Population: 166,722
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,164
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 27.77%
• Median Household Income: $55,819
• Walk score: 18
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 27

Clarksville was founded near the Cumberland and Red Rivers in 1785 and named for frontier fighter General George Rogers Clark. The area is home to the Austin Peay State University, the oldest newspaper in Tennessee, and the site of the 101st Airborne Division.

Clarksville regularly ranks among the best places to live in Tennessee for its affordability, economic stability, and charming setting. Its largest employers and industries include Fort Campbell Army Post, Austin Peay State University, manufacturing, and hospitality. The median age in Clarksville is among the youngest on our list at 19.6 years old.

Like the rest of Tennessee, Clarksville embraces its access to nature. Dunbar Cave features caverns, caves, and hiking trails that impress visitors and longtime locals. The McGregor Park Riverwalk is a popular spot for summer fireworks, holiday light displays, and annual events. Liberty Park & Clarksville Marina is the spot for fishing and boating.

Clarksville's quaint community offers a little of everything, including Miss Lucille's, with 200 vendors selling lights to pottery. The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center feature old radios, sculptures, and paper art. For Broadway-caliber shows, locals attend the Roxy Regional Theater.

You can find amazing places to eat and drink in Clarksville, including Beachaven Vineyards & Winery. The Old Glory Distilling Co. features spirits and in-depth tours. For something laid-back with the locals, Blackhorse Pub & Brewery serves freshly brewed beer and weekend brunches. The Catfish House serves lump crab cake and fried catfish.

Learn more about the average rent in Clarksville.

6. Ooltewah

• Population: 756
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $23,693
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 17.92%
• Median Household Income: $49,460
• Walk score: n/a
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 4

Ooltewah is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hamilton County near Chattanooga and an enclave within Collegedale. The area played a role in the Civil War, where seventeen Confederates were captured and burned the local railroad bridge.

Living in a small town means most locals commute to Chattanooga or the greater metro areas. Local industries include health care and social assistance, manufacturing, retail trade, mining, and enterprise management. The median age in Ooltewah is 51.2 years old, although its low cost of living and proximity to Chattanooga also makes it an ideal location for young professionals.

Ooltewah is a cozy community but offers a few outdoor spaces like Veteran's Memorial Park and Imagination Station. The nearby Enterprise South Nature Park is just a few miles away from biking and hiking.

There are a handful of places to explore in Ooltewah, like the Lynn Wood H Archaeological Museum. For a one of a kind shopping experience, McKay Used Books sells books, movies, music, and video games. You can also find tasty places to eat without leaving Ooltewah, like the Local Goat and Countryside Cafe. To take advantage of what the area has to offer, Chattanooga is just 22 minutes away.

Learn more about the average rent in Ooltewah.

Final Thoughts - Where Should I Move to In Tennessee?

Moving to Tennessee is a win if you love the outdoors, urban settings or want to live in a more rural area. With a mixed economy and robust job market, Tennessee is a place where you can thrive while saving and enjoying what life has to offer.

Find the cheapest places to live in Tennessee by registering with Apartment List today and start checking out the thousands of available apartments to rent!