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Cost of living in Chattanooga, TN

Livability score 67 · cost-of-living index 92.3 (US = 100)

Chattanooga, TN
Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture via Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

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, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 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

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 92.3 metro-area #63 of 200
Grocery index (US=100) 94.1 metro-area #36 of 200
Big Mac price (est.) $5.25 metro-area #60 of 200
Median household income $65,387 metro-area #136 of 200
Median wage (all occupations) $38,547 metro-area #120 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age 40.4 years metro-area #153 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) 31.3% metro-area #121 of 200
Foreign-born residents 4.6% metro-area #170 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied 68.3% metro-area #70 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate 4.49% metro-area #52 of 200
Population growth (5-yr) +2.9% metro-area #125 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price $326,370 metro-area #89 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability) 5.0× metro-area #117 of 200
1-yr home appreciation +0.2% metro-area #134 of 200
Price per square foot $163 metro-area #75 of 200
Typical home size (implied) 2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly) $1,530 metro-area #88 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory) 2,886
Median days on market 22 metro-area #128 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income) 7.6% state #2 of 200
Combined sales tax 9.55% state #189 of 200
State income tax (top rate) None
Capital gains tax None state #1 of 200
High earners No special surtax
Social Security in retirement Not taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate 0.71% metro-area #59 of 200
Median property tax paid $1,564 metro-area #40 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth 75.0 years metro-area #153 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,300 state #17 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents) 11.6% metro-area #145 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k 84 metro-area #63 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center) $9,000 state #25 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration $55 state #13 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual) None state #1 of 200
Emissions testing Not required
Emissions detail Statewide testing ended 2022
DMV & license offices 8
Avg commute to work 24 min metro-area #87 of 200
Commute by driving alone 76.2% metro-area #117 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min 32.0% metro-area #104 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity 14.9¢/kWh state #32 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill $134 state #32 of 200
Gasoline $2.95/gal state #3 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $62 state #69 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $121 state #132 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill) $80 state #106 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual) $2,200 state #129 of 200
Auto insurance (annual) $1,600 state #51 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) 82.3 — Relatively Moderate metro-area #40 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $700 state #61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual) $350 state #149 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 52 metro-area #151 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,700 metro-area #128 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state) 93% state #87 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load) 3,600 metro-area #94 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F 48 metro-area #126 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F 1 metro-area #105 of 200
Avg summer high (state) 89°F metro-area #113 of 200
Avg winter low 30°F metro-area #89 of 200
Annual precipitation 50.5" metro-area #162 of 200
Annual snowfall 4.7" metro-area #83 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible) 60% metro-area #85 of 200
Plant hardiness zone 7a
Frost window 04-10 → 11-01

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 600 state #185 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg) 2,600 state #157 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores 21 metro-area #162 of 200
Parks 36
Hiking areas 10
Golf courses 12
Shooting ranges 2
Lakes 1

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 state #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.

Top employers in Chattanooga

Major public and private employers in the Chattanooga, TN area.

EmployerSectorJobs
Volkswagen Group of America Manufacturing Careers →
Erlanger Health System Healthcare Careers →
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Finance Careers →
Unum Group Finance Careers →
McKee Foods Manufacturing Search →

Salaries by occupation in Chattanooga

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $187,290
Pharmacists $131,990
Lawyers $130,420
Marketing Managers $127,190
Financial Managers $125,010
Physician Assistants $120,310
Human Resources Managers $112,220
Software Developers $102,630
Mechanical Engineers $101,190
General & Operations Managers $96,680
Civil Engineers $94,080
Physical Therapists $90,770
Construction Managers $84,940
Web Developers $76,830
Dental Hygienists $75,840
Registered Nurses $73,950
Data Scientists $70,430
Accountants & Auditors $70,140
Elementary School Teachers $55,780
Electricians $51,610
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $51,120
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,900
Carpenters $47,360
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $47,280
Graphic Designers $46,040
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $45,150
Real Estate Sales Agents $38,870
Medical Assistants $37,150

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