Cost of Living in Chattanooga, TN - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,003 (excluding rent), and $2,516 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,363 (excluding rent), and $4,882 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.47 $16.47

$13.89 $13.89

$39.92 $39.92

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.5 $79.5

$59.6 $59.6

$149 $149

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.08 $11.08

$10.07 $10.07

$13.09 $13.09

Cappuccino

$5.02 $5.02

$3.56 $3.56

$7.12 $7.12

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.98 $1.98

$3.96 $3.96

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 $2.07

$1.46 $1.46

$3.9 $3.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.16 $6.16

$3.34 $3.34

$9.25 $9.25

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.33 $7.33

$4.88 $4.88

$11.72 $11.72

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.67 $0.67

$1.63 $1.63

White Bread (500g)

$3.51 $3.51

$1.62 $1.62

$4.86 $4.86

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.93 $4.93

$2.23 $2.23

$9.02 $9.02

Eggs

$4.06 $4.06

$2 $2

$5.72 $5.72

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.62 $13.62

$5.5 $5.5

$28.72 $28.72

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.68 $13.68

$6.16 $6.16

$26.42 $26.42

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.85 $12.85

$8.99 $8.99

$33.71 $33.71

Apples (1kg)

$6.4 $6.4

$3.69 $3.69

$13.33 $13.33

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 $1.56

$1.12 $1.12

$5.62 $5.62

Oranges (1kg)

$4.22 $4.22

$2.16 $2.16

$11.91 $11.91

Tomato (1kg)

$3.56 $3.56

$1.74 $1.74

$8.74 $8.74

Potato (1kg)

$3.45 $3.45

$1.33 $1.33

$13.53 $13.53

Onion (1kg)

$3.36 $3.36

$1.99 $1.99

$6.71 $6.71

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.78 $1.78

$3.61 $3.61

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.1 $3.1

$1.54 $1.54

$5.12 $5.12

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.65 $7.65

$6.12 $6.12

$10.2 $10.2

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$11.76 $11.76

$33.33 $33.33

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.44 $1.44

$5.76 $5.76

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$1.27 $1.27

$8.16 $8.16

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.91 $3.91

$1.95 $1.95

$4.88 $4.88

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$49.27 $49.27

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.71 $1.71

$4.88 $4.88

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.6 $1.6

$2.88 $2.88

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.01 $24.01

$21.51 $21.51

$27.01 $27.01

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 $0.79

$0.71 $0.71

$0.99 $0.99

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.2K $25.2K

$24.1K $24.1K

$37.2K $37.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.9K $25.9K

$25K $25K

$27K $27K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$143 $143

$86.6 $86.6

$357 $357

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$55.2 $55.2

$34.52 $34.52

$133 $133

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.9 $71.9

$50.5 $50.5

$121 $121

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.94 $39.94

$9.99 $9.99

$49.93 $49.93

Cinema Ticket

$12.66 $12.66

$12.15 $12.15

$20.25 $20.25

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,019 $1,019

$735 $735

$1,690 $1,690

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25K $25K

$20K $20K

$29.6K $29.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$40.44 $40.44

$24.51 $24.51

$78.4 $78.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.63 $31.63

$19.97 $19.97

$59.9 $59.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$49.87 $49.87

$125 $125

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 $110

$59.2 $59.2

$197 $197

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,527 $1,527

$906 $906

$2,014 $2,014

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,289 $1,289

$1,012 $1,012

$1,518 $1,518

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,632 $3,632

$2,844 $2,844

$4,063 $4,063

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,145 $2,145

$2,019 $2,019

$2,827 $2,827

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,283 $2,283

$2,267 $2,267

$4,320 $4,320

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,257 $2,257

$2,162 $2,162

$2,303 $2,303

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,754 $3,754

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Chattanooga, TN - Frequently Asked Questions

Chattanooga balances affordability with a clean quality of life you can tailor. Housing tends to be more approachable than big metros, with a mix of compact apartments and houses in walkable neighborhoods such as North Shore or downtown, plus quieter options a short drive away. Food and services sit at a comfortable mid-range, while outdoor activities and seasonal festivals add value without breaking the bank. Remote workers benefit from reliable coworking spaces and short commutes that save time and fuel. Tourism-friendly riverside areas can hike up costs slightly, but good deals exist with longer lease terms or off-peak bookings. Cost of Living in Chattanooga, TN, United States offers a concise snapshot of overall vibe and value. Tip: Align housing with public transit and neighborhood walkability to optimize monthly spend.

Finding a place here starts with a neighborhood scan: walkable cores like North Shore, Southside, and riverside zones offer cafes, gyms, and errands within easy reach. For housing, consider shorter leases to test before committing to long-term rents; look for utilities included to avoid surprises. Food options range from farmers markets to international eateries, with a thriving coffee scene. Public transit covers the main routes, but many use bikes or rideshares to navigate hills and lakefronts. Chattanooga, TN, United States living cost is a practical frame for budgeting day-to-day; track transit passes, groceries, and coworking day rates. Tip: test a 2-week routine to estimate true costs.

Think in a simple budgeting framework: fix fixed housing, flexible groceries, and controllable leisure. In Chattanooga, you can mix city-core energy with outdoor access by choosing a neighborhood that suits your pace. North Shore tends to be lively and walkable, East Brainerd offers quieter blocks, and downtown can be a bit more compact yet convenient. Save by cooking at home several nights a week, buying seasonal produce, and using public transit or bikes for shorter trips. Seasonal events – outdoor concerts or riverfront markets – offer value if you plan around free or low-cost experiences. Shoulder seasons. Tip: map a monthly baseline, then adjust with occasional splurges during shoulder seasons.