Median rent is 2% lower in West Des Moines ($1,237/mo vs $1,256/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chattanooga, where the median home runs $283,200 versus $309,000. Households earn more in West Des Moines ($86,594 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. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in West Des Moines, IA.
City A
Chattanooga, TN
City B
West Des Moines, IA
How much would you need to earn in West Des Moines, IA to maintain your standard of living from Chattanooga, TN?
Equivalent salary in West Des Moines, IA
$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
West Des Moines
Iowa
👥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: $1,256/mo in Chattanooga and $1,237/mo in West Des Moines. Median home values are within 8% of each other: $283,200 in Chattanooga and $309,000 in West Des Moines.
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
West Des Moines
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Chattanooga (avg AQI 54.0) but not yet for West Des Moines.
Pick West Des Moines if you prioritize higher median household income ($86,594/yr).
Is Chattanooga cheaper than West Des Moines?
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 West Des Moines?
Median rent is $1,256/mo in Chattanooga, TN and $1,237/mo in West Des Moines, IA. West Des Moines, IA has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Chattanooga or West Des Moines?
Median household income is $64,523 in Chattanooga, TN and $86,594 in West Des Moines, IA. West Des Moines, IA 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 West Des Moines?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in West Des Moines to match my Chattanooga income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chattanooga, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,435 in West Des Moines, IA (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
