Median rent is 35% lower in Chattanooga ($1,256/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chattanooga, where the median home runs $283,200 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $64,523 a year). Taken together, Chattanooga is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.3 against 114.7 — about 20% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Los Angeles, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Chattanooga is 20% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.3 in Chattanooga vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Chattanooga, TN
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Chattanooga, TN?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$93,191
You'd need $18,191 more (24% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chattanooga
Tennessee
Los Angeles
California
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Chattanooga — median rent of $1,256/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 35% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $283,200 in Chattanooga — 69% more expensive.
Metric
Chattanooga
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chattanooga if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.3 vs 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Chattanooga if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,256/mo median).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Chattanooga is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.3 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 20% lower in Chattanooga.
Median rent is $1,256/mo in Chattanooga, TN and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Chattanooga, TN has the lower rent by about 35%.
Median household income is $64,523 in Chattanooga, TN and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chattanooga, TN is equivalent to roughly $124,254 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
