CostIndexUSA

Albuquerque, NM vs Chattanooga, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NM
Albuquerque
95.5
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Chattanooga is slightly cheaper than Albuquerque — 4.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albuquerque, you would need $76,600 in Chattanooga. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing14.1%
Albuquerque
89.2
Chattanooga
76.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Albuquerque
96.1
Chattanooga
96
🚗 Transportation3.3%
Albuquerque
103.5
Chattanooga
100.1
🏥 Healthcare3.3%
Albuquerque
93.6
Chattanooga
90.5
Utilities4.7%
Albuquerque
77.9
Chattanooga
74.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Albuquerque to see what you'd need to earn in Chattanooga to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Chattanooga, TN
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Chattanooga

Formula: salary × (91.5 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.9581. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Albuquerque, NM

Median Home Price
$340,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
89.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Chattanooga, TN

Median Home Price
$314,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
76.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

Albuquerque has 14.1% lower housing costs compared to Chattanooga.

Income & Job Market

Albuquerque, NM

Median Household Income
$67,600
Per Capita Income
$38,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
564,559
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationMilitaryTechnology

Chattanooga, TN

Median Household Income
$68,700
Per Capita Income
$39,200
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
181,099
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTourismTechnologyLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Albuquerque, NM
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Chattanooga, TN
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.