Chattanooga wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: San Antonio vs Chattanooga (2026)
A $60,000 salary in San Antonio buys roughly what $59,310 does in Chattanooga (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,754/yr
Favoring San Antonio for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $146/mo in San Antonio, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 | San Antonio Texas | Chattanooga Tennessee | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Better | $1,000 | San wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in San |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,250 | San wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in San |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,450Wins | $1,650 | San wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in San |
| Median home price | $260KBetter | $275K | San wins +$15K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 94 | San wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $12 | San wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Better | $50 | San wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $48 | $45Better | Chattanooga wins −$3/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.05 | San wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165 | $145Wins | Chattanooga wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Chattanooga |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $165Better | Chattanooga wins −$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60 | $58Better | Chattanooga wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $55KBetter | $51K | San wins −$4K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Wins | 9.5% | San wins +1.2 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $14.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $32Better | $33 | San wins +$1/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.50 | San wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87 | 86Better | Chattanooga wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36Wins | 28 | San wins -8 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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
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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Frequently asked questions
Is San Antonio cheaper than Chattanooga?
No. Chattanooga is 1% cheaper than San Antonio based on overall cost of living indices (86 vs 87, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in San Antonio vs Chattanooga?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in San Antonio is $1,100/month and in Chattanooga is $1,250/month. San Antonio is cheaper by 12%.
How much do I need to earn in Chattanooga to match a $75,000 salary in San Antonio?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,138/year in Chattanooga to match a $75,000 salary in San Antonio. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — San Antonio or Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Chattanooga 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 San Antonio to Chattanooga?
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: San Antonio ↔ Chattanooga
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