Median rent is 11% lower in High Point ($1,116/mo vs $1,256/mo). Buying is cheaper in High Point, where the median home runs $235,800 versus $283,200. Households earn more in High Point ($64,561 vs $64,523 a year). Taken together, Chattanooga is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.3 against 92.8 — about 0% lower overall prices.
City A
Chattanooga, TN
City B
High Point, NC
How much would you need to earn in High Point, NC to maintain your standard of living from Chattanooga, TN?
Equivalent salary in High Point, NC
$75,326
You'd need $326 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
High Point
North Carolina
👥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 rent is modestly lower in High Point at $1,116/mo compared to $1,256/mo in Chattanooga (11% gap). Median home values are within 17% of each other: $283,200 in Chattanooga and $235,800 in High Point.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chattanooga
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
High Point
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Chattanooga (avg AQI 54.0) but not yet for High Point.
Pick High Point if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,116/mo median).
Is Chattanooga cheaper than High Point?
Chattanooga is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.3 versus 92.8 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Chattanooga.
How much is rent in Chattanooga vs High Point?
Median rent is $1,256/mo in Chattanooga, TN and $1,116/mo in High Point, NC. High Point, NC has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Chattanooga or High Point?
Median household income is $64,523 in Chattanooga, TN and $64,561 in High Point, NC. High Point, NC 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chattanooga or High Point?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in High Point to match my Chattanooga income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chattanooga, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,434 in High Point, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
