salaryChattanooga is the 4th-largest city in Tennessee that we track, with 185,783 residents. Rent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.1 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,480 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Tennessee cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Tennessee. It is number 77 of 114 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Chattanooga with other big cities
Compare Chattanooga to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Chattanooga?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Chattanooga
| Size | Chattanooga | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $961 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,224 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,305 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,539 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,660 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Chattanooga overall?
Everyday prices in the Chattanooga metro area are 9% below the U.S. average (index 91.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Chattanooga
Life in Chattanooga
What jobs pay in Chattanooga
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $147,640 | 12.5% |
| Pharmacist | $132,240 | 13.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $121,600 | 15.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,480 | 15.8% |
| Software Developer | $106,750 | 17.3% |
| Operations Manager | $102,920 | 17.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,630 | 19.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,350 | 19.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,460 | 22.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $79,770 | 23.1% |
| Accountant | $76,680 | 24.1% |
| Electrician | $72,330 | 25.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $66,460 | 27.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,830 | 30.8% |
| Plumber | $58,720 | 31.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,580 | 31.5% |
| Truck Driver | $57,440 | 32.1% |
| Police Officer | $51,330 | 35.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $50,950 | 36.2% |
| Carpenter | $50,760 | 36.3% |
| Firefighter | $46,060 | 40.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,030 | 41.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,160 | 45.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,790 | 47.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,830 | 48.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,010 | 51.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,460 | 58.6% |
| Cashier | $28,440 | 64.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $24,240 | 76.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Chattanooga?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $428 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $283,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $28,320 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chattanooga, TN?
Renting in Chattanooga costs a median of about $1,537 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Tennessee median is $1,279.
How much do I need to make to live in Chattanooga?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,480 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Chattanooga cheap or expensive?
Chattanooga is rated OK: rent takes 26.5% of the typical household income of $69,588. It ranks 77th cheapest of 114 Tennessee cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Chattanooga?
The median homeowner in Chattanooga pays $2,265 a year in property taxes, about 0.80% of the median home value.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Chattanooga?
The median home value in Chattanooga is $283,200, about 4.1 times the typical yearly household income.
185,783 people live in Chattanooga. Numbers are typical (middle) values.