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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,063 (excluding rent), and $2,468 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,363 (excluding rent), and $4,857 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.72 $16.72

$14.11 $14.11

$40.53 $40.53

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.5 $80.5

$60.4 $60.4

$151 $151

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.90 $10.90

$9.91 $9.91

$12.87 $12.87

Cappuccino

$4.81 $4.81

$3.41 $3.41

$6.82 $6.82

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

$2.43 $2.43

$1.94 $1.94

$3.88 $3.88

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.54 $1.54

$4.10 $4.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.09 $6.09

$3.30 $3.30

$9.13 $9.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.63 $7.63

$5.08 $5.08

$12.20 $12.20

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.68 $0.68

$1.63 $1.63

White Bread (500g)

$3.53 $3.53

$1.63 $1.63

$4.90 $4.90

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$2.24 $2.24

$9.07 $9.07

Eggs

$4.23 $4.23

$2.08 $2.08

$5.96 $5.96

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.56 $13.56

$5.48 $5.48

$28.60 $28.60

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.74 $13.74

$6.19 $6.19

$26.54 $26.54

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.84 $12.84

$8.98 $8.98

$33.67 $33.67

Apples (1kg)

$6.27 $6.27

$3.61 $3.61

$13.06 $13.06

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 $1.49

$1.07 $1.07

$5.38 $5.38

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.13 $2.13

$11.77 $11.77

Tomato (1kg)

$3.57 $3.57

$1.75 $1.75

$8.77 $8.77

Potato (1kg)

$3.31 $3.31

$1.28 $1.28

$12.98 $12.98

Onion (1kg)

$3.41 $3.41

$2.02 $2.02

$6.80 $6.80

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.77 $1.77

$3.59 $3.59

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.46 $1.46

$4.88 $4.88

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.31 $7.31

$5.85 $5.85

$9.75 $9.75

Wine (Bottle)

$15.20 $15.20

$11.76 $11.76

$33.33 $33.33

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$1.39 $1.39

$5.57 $5.57

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$1.26 $1.26

$8.08 $8.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.90 $3.90

$1.95 $1.95

$4.88 $4.88

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$50.8 $50.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.70 $1.70

$4.87 $4.87

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$2.86 $2.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.90 $23.90

$21.41 $21.41

$26.88 $26.88

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.75 $0.75

$0.67 $0.67

$0.94 $0.94

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

$25.3K $25.3K

$24.3K $24.3K

$37.4K $37.4K

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$24.6K $24.6K

$26.5K $26.5K

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

$137 $137

$83.3 $83.3

$343 $343

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

$55.2 $55.2

$34.52 $34.52

$133 $133

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.6 $70.6

$49.52 $49.52

$119 $119

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.94 $39.94

$9.99 $9.99

$49.93 $49.93

Cinema Ticket

$12.69 $12.69

$12.19 $12.19

$20.31 $20.31

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

$1,037 $1,037

$749 $749

$1,720 $1,720

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.3K $25.3K

$20.2K $20.2K

$29.9K $29.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.32 $41.32

$25.04 $25.04

$80.1 $80.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.24 $31.24

$19.73 $19.73

$59.2 $59.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.6 $99.6

$50.8 $50.8

$127 $127

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$111 $111

$59.5 $59.5

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,528 $1,528

$906 $906

$2,014 $2,014

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,274 $1,274

$1,000 $1,000

$1,500 $1,500

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,568 $3,568

$2,794 $2,794

$3,992 $3,992

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,113 $2,113

$1,988 $1,988

$2,784 $2,784

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,294 $2,294

$2,279 $2,279

$4,341 $4,341

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,261 $2,261

$2,166 $2,166

$2,307 $2,307

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,852 $3,852

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

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

Last update: March 1, 2026

Chattanooga, TN Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.