Chattanooga, Tennessee has an overall cost of living index of 92.3, which is 7.7 points below the US average of 100 — making it more affordable than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,256 per month, while the typical home is valued around $283,200. Households earn a median of $64,523 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 54. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$64,523
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,256
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$283,200
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
92.3
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
N/A
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
N/A
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
N/A
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
92.3
Goods
94.1
Rents / Housing
78.3
Services
78.9
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $110,710 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $80,740 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $56,990 |
| ⚡Electrician | $60,110 |
| 📊Accountant | $79,160 |
| 🔧Plumber | $58,970 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $362,490 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $105,410 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $124,640 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $77,180 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $123,640 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $54,710 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
185,783
Latest estimate
Median Age
36.3 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
54.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,174
Per month
Avg Home Value
$290,220
Census ACS
January Avg
41°F
July Avg
80°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
30.7
poor
Hospitals
5
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
87.8%
What is the cost of living index for Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 92.3. The US national average is 100, so Chattanooga is 7.7 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Chattanooga?
The median gross rent in Chattanooga is $1,256 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Chattanooga?
The median household income in Chattanooga is $64,523 per year.
What is the median home value in Chattanooga?
The median home value in Chattanooga is $283,200 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 54.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Chattanooga?
Tax data for Tennessee is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
