Cost of living in Chattanooga, TN Livability score 67 · cost-of-living index 92.3 (US = 100)
How Chattanooga compares Where Chattanooga falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 92 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 92 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $326k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $326k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $163 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $163 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 9.6% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 9.6% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.71% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.71% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 600 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 600 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 14.9 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 14.9 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 89° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 89° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 30° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 30° Map of Chattanooga Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps
Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 92.3 #63 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 94.1 #36 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.25 #60 of 200 Median household income $65,387 #136 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $38,547 #120 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 4.49% #52 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +2.9% #125 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $326,370 #89 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 5.0× #117 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +0.2% #134 of 200 Price per square foot $163 #75 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 2,000 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,530 #88 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 2,886 Median days on market 22 #128 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 7.6% #2 of 200 Combined sales tax 9.55% #189 of 200 State income tax (top rate) None Capital gains tax None #1 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 0.71% #59 of 200 Median property tax paid $1,564 #40 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,300 #17 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $9,000 #25 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $55 #13 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) None #1 of 200 Emissions testing Not required Emissions detail Statewide testing ended 2022 DMV & license offices 8 Avg commute to work 24 min #87 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 14.9¢/kWh #32 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $134 #32 of 200 Gasoline $2.95/gal #3 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $2,200 #129 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,600 #51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $700 #61 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $350 #149 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 52 #151 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,700 #128 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 3,600 #94 of 200 Avg summer high 89°F #113 of 200 Avg winter low 30°F #89 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 7a Frost window 04-10 → 11-01
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 600 #185 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 2,600 #157 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 21 #162 of 200 Parks 36 Hiking areas 10 Golf courses 12 Shooting ranges 2 Lakes 1
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.