S T SalaryCompareTool

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

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age40.4 yearsmetro-area#153 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)31.3%metro-area#121 of 200
Foreign-born residents4.6%metro-area#170 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied68.3%metro-area#70 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate4.49%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$326,370metro-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$163metro-area#75 of 200
Typical home size (implied)2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,530metro-area#88 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)2,886
Median days on market22metro-area#128 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)7.6%state#2 of 200
Combined sales tax9.55%state#189 of 200
State income tax (top rate)None
Capital gains taxNonestate#1 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate0.71%metro-area#59 of 200
Median property tax paid$1,564metro-area#40 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth75.0 yearsmetro-area#153 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$6,300state#17 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)11.6%metro-area#145 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k84metro-area#63 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$9,000state#25 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$55state#13 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)Nonestate#1 of 200
Emissions testingNot required
Emissions detailStatewide testing ended 2022
DMV & license offices8
Avg commute to work24 minmetro-area#87 of 200
Commute by driving alone76.2%metro-area#117 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min32.0%metro-area#104 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity14.9¢/kWhstate#32 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$134state#32 of 200
Gasoline$2.95/galstate#3 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$62state#69 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$121state#132 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$80state#106 of 200

Insurance

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

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

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

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)52metro-area#151 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)1,700metro-area#128 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)93%state#87 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)3,600metro-area#94 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F48metro-area#126 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F1metro-area#105 of 200
Avg summer high (state)89°Fmetro-area#113 of 200
Avg winter low30°Fmetro-area#89 of 200
Annual precipitation50.5"metro-area#162 of 200
Annual snowfall4.7"metro-area#83 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)60%metro-area#85 of 200
Plant hardiness zone7a
Frost window04-10 → 11-01

Safety

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

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores21metro-area#162 of 200
Parks36
Hiking areas10
Golf courses12
Shooting ranges2
Lakes1

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)2state#1 of 200
Permit detailGenerally 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

Find a job in Chattanooga

Cities in the Chattanooga area

Ad · affiliate links

Compare Chattanooga with…

More TN metros →