Cost of Living in Chattanooga, TN
Updated November 2026 · Hamilton County · Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area · population 185,783
Prices in Chattanooga are 7.2% below the US average (local index 92.8; the BEA index for the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is 91.5), with utilities the biggest saving at 74.2; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,571 a month and the median rent is $1,256.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Chattanooga's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, unchanged.
Chattanooga price index by category, US average = 100: All items 92.8, Housing (rents) 80.7, Goods 96.0, Utilities 74.2, Other services 95.3
It is the 11th most expensive of the 18 Tennessee cities in our data. Cheaper than 82% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.3 | 90.1 | 90.0 | 92.5 | 92.3 | 91.5 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Chattanooga, TN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $985 | $11,820 | 38% |
| Utilities | $228 | $2,736 | 9% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 11% |
| Transportation | $592 | $7,104 | 23% |
| Health care | $335 | $4,020 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $160 | $1,920 | 6% |
| Total | $2,571 | $30,852 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Chattanooga, TN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,050 | $12,600 | 26% |
| Utilities | $359 | $4,308 | 9% |
| Food at home | $500 | $6,000 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,172 | $14,064 | 29% |
| Health care | $621 | $7,452 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $316 | $3,792 | 8% |
| Total | $4,018 | $48,216 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Chattanooga, TN
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,239 | $14,868 | 25% |
| Utilities | $437 | $5,244 | 9% |
| Food at home | $713 | $8,556 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,561 | $18,732 | 32% |
| Health care | $579 | $6,948 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $407 | $4,884 | 8% |
| Total | $4,936 | $59,232 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Chattanooga
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $913 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,163 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,240 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,463 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,578 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,256 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,064 |
| Median home value | $283,200 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,564/mo |
| Median household income | $64,523 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 28.6% |
| Home value ÷ household income Moderate | 4.4× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Tennessee
13.42¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +2.5% (from 13.09¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,186 kWh a month in Tennessee ≈ $161/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Tennessee is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Chattanooga are 7.2% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $64,600 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 92.8. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton, GA | 26 mi | 91.5 | $2,383 | $996 |
| Fort Payne, AL | 49 mi | 86.2 | $2,053 | $679 |
| Loudon, TN | 68 mi | 89.4 | $2,187 | $879 |
| Guntersville, AL | 75 mi | 87.9 | $2,131 | $842 |
| Huntsville, AL | 85 mi | 92.7 | $2,449 | $1,171 |
| Maryville, TN | 86 mi | 93.0 | $2,310 | $1,157 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, NE | 92.8 | $2,449 | $1,226 |
| Waco, TX | 92.8 | $2,363 | $1,165 |
| Covington, KY | 92.8 | $2,290 | $1,006 |
| Hamilton, OH | 92.9 | $2,237 | $1,007 |
| Middletown, OH | 92.9 | $2,269 | $1,007 |
| Olathe, KS | 92.9 | $2,556 | $1,314 |
Compare Chattanooga with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Chattanooga, TN an expensive place to live?
Chattanooga has a local cost of living index of 92.8, which is 7.2% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area (91.5) and adjusts housing to Chattanooga's own rents. It is 0.9 points above the Tennessee average. It is the 11th most expensive of the 18 Tennessee cities in our data. Cheaper than 82% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Chattanooga?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,571 for a single adult, $4,018 for a couple and $4,936 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $55,700 in Chattanooga.
What is the average rent in Chattanooga?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,256 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,163, 2 bedrooms $1,240, 3 bedrooms $1,463. The typical renter spends 28.6% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Chattanooga?
The median owner-estimated home value is $283,200, 4.4 times the median household income of $64,523 (moderate). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,564 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Chattanooga?
Tennessee residential electricity averaged 13.42¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Chattanooga, TN-GA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 91.5) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 4714000 (Chattanooga city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Tennessee residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources