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 Hamilton County · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
92.3
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.1
metro-area
#36 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.25
metro-area
#60 of 200 metros
Median household income
$88,173
local
#1466 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$48,557
local
#1304 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
40.4 years
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
31.3%
metro-area
#121 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
4.6%
metro-area
#170 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
68.3%
metro-area
#70 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.92%
local
#424 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-5.2%
local
#3005 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$240,000
local
#923 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.7×
local
#418 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+0.2%
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$120
local
#790 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,212
local
#1003 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,886
Median days on market
22
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
7.6%
state
#2 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
9.55%
state
#189 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
None
Capital gains tax
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
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
0.55%
local
#287 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,325
local
#237 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
75.0 years
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,300
state
#17 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
11.6%
metro-area
#145 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
84
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$9,000
state
#25 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$55
state
#13 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
Statewide testing ended 2022
DMV & license offices
8
Avg commute to work
25 min
local
#1162 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
76.2%
metro-area
#117 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
32.0%
metro-area
#104 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.9¢/kWh
state
#32 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$134
state
#32 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#3 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#69 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$121
state
#132 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#106 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#129 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US 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 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#149 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
52
metro-area
#151 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,700
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
93%
state
#87 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,600
metro-area
#94 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
48
metro-area
#126 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
50.5"
metro-area
#162 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
4.7"
metro-area
#83 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
600
state
#185 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,600
state
#157 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
21
metro-area
#162 of 200 metros
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
#1 of 200 metros
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.