Chattanooga wins overall by ~23% (COL index)
Cost of living: Chattanooga vs Nashville (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Chattanooga buys roughly what $78,140 does in Nashville (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$8,971/yr
Favoring Chattanooga for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $748/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~21 months and still keep ~$90/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Chattanooga Tennessee | Nashville Tennessee | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,000Wins | $1,500 | Chattanooga wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Chattanooga |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,250Wins | $1,800 | Chattanooga wins +$550/mo | $6,600/yr saves in Chattanooga |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,650Wins | $2,400 | Chattanooga wins +$750/mo | $9,000/yr saves in Chattanooga |
| Median home price | $275KWins | $420K | Chattanooga wins +$145K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 96 | Chattanooga wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $14 | Chattanooga wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $60 | Chattanooga wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Wins | $70 | Chattanooga wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Chattanooga |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05 | $3.00Better | Nashville wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $160 | Chattanooga wins +$15/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165Better | $170 | Chattanooga wins +$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $60 | Chattanooga wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $51K | $65KWins | Nashville wins +$14K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.5%Better | 9.8% | Chattanooga wins +0.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | Chattanooga wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Wins | $40 | Chattanooga wins +$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $7.00 | Chattanooga wins +$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 86Wins | 112 | Chattanooga wins +26 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 29Better | Nashville wins +1 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Chattanooga fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Chattanooga.
High-yield savings
Park ~$6,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chattanooga cheaper than Nashville?
Yes. Chattanooga is 23% cheaper than Nashville based on overall cost of living indices (86 vs 112, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Chattanooga vs Nashville?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Chattanooga is $1,250/month and in Nashville is $1,800/month. Chattanooga is cheaper by 31%.
How much do I need to earn in Nashville to match a $75,000 salary in Chattanooga?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $97,674/year in Nashville to match a $75,000 salary in Chattanooga. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Chattanooga or Nashville?
Nashville has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Nashville has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Chattanooga to Nashville?
It depends on your priorities. Chattanooga offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Chattanooga ↔ Nashville
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