CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Chattanooga, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Chattanooga is moderately cheaper than Anchorage — 13.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $69,400 in Chattanooga. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing30.3%
Anchorage
109.9
Chattanooga
76.6
🛒 Groceries10.5%
Anchorage
107.3
Chattanooga
96
🚗 Transportation7.7%
Anchorage
108.5
Chattanooga
100.1
🏥 Healthcare7.8%
Anchorage
98.2
Chattanooga
90.5
Utilities33.6%
Anchorage
111.8
Chattanooga
74.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Chattanooga, TN
$69,400
$10,600 less needed in Chattanooga

Formula: salary × (91.5 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.8681. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Chattanooga, TN

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

Anchorage has 30.3% lower housing costs compared to Chattanooga.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

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).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.