Median rent is 5% lower in Chattanooga ($1,155/mo vs $1,214/mo). Buying is cheaper in Gainesville, where the median home runs $235,000 versus $259,200. Households earn more in Chattanooga ($61,028 vs $45,611 a year). Taken together, Chattanooga is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.5 against 92.6 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chattanooga, TN.
City A
Chattanooga, TN
City B
Gainesville, FL
How much would you need to earn in Gainesville, FL to maintain your standard of living from Chattanooga, TN?
Equivalent salary in Gainesville, FL
$75,039
You'd need $39 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chattanooga
Tennessee
Gainesville
Florida
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,155/mo in Chattanooga and $1,214/mo in Gainesville. Median home values are within 9% of each other: $259,200 in Chattanooga and $235,000 in Gainesville.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Tennessee and Florida have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 7.00% in Tennessee and 6.00% in Florida; Gainesville has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chattanooga
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
Gainesville
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Gainesville has cleaner air on average: 35.0 AQI (Good) compared to 64.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chattanooga if you prioritize higher median household income ($61,028/yr).
Pick Gainesville if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 35.0).
Is Chattanooga cheaper than Gainesville?
Chattanooga is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.5 versus 92.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Chattanooga.
How much is rent in Chattanooga vs Gainesville?
Median rent is $1,155/mo in Chattanooga, TN and $1,214/mo in Gainesville, FL. Chattanooga, TN has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Chattanooga or Gainesville?
Median household income is $61,028 in Chattanooga, TN and $45,611 in Gainesville, FL. Chattanooga, TN has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Gainesville, FL has better air quality on average: 35.0 AQI versus 64.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chattanooga or Gainesville?
Both Tennessee and Florida have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Gainesville to match my Chattanooga income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chattanooga, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,052 in Gainesville, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology