Rows tagged local are specific to Middle Valley (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Chattanooga, TN. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district 4701590 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
92.3
metro-area
#0 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
94.1
metro-area
#0 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.25
metro-area
#0 of 200
Median household income
$88,173
local
#0 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$48,557
local
#0 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.92%
local
#0 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
-5.2%
local
#0 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$240,000
local
#0 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.7×
local
#0 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+0.2%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Price per square foot
$120
local
#0 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,212
local
#0 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,886
Median days on market
22
metro-area
#0 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
7.6%
state
#0 of 200
Combined sales tax
9.55%
state
#0 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
None
Capital gains tax
None
state
#0 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.55%
local
#0 of 200
Median property tax paid
$1,325
local
#0 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,300
state
#0 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$9,000
state
#0 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$55
state
#0 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#0 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
Statewide testing ended 2022
DMV & license offices
8
Avg commute to work
25 min
local
#0 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.9¢/kWh
state
#0 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$134
state
#0 of 200
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#0 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#0 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$121
state
#0 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#0 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#0 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#0 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#0 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#0 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
52
metro-area
#0 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,700
metro-area
#0 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,600
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg summer high
89°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual precipitation
50.5"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual snowfall
4.7"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
600
state
#0 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,600
state
#0 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
21
metro-area
#0 of 200
Parks
36
Hiking areas
10
Golf courses
12
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
1
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#0 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.