CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Chattanooga, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
TN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Bismarck and Chattanooga have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing8.8%
Bismarck
84
Chattanooga
76.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bismarck
95.7
Chattanooga
96
🚗 Transportation+4.6%
Bismarck
95.7
Chattanooga
100.1
🏥 Healthcare+4.5%
Bismarck
86.6
Chattanooga
90.5
Utilities1.1%
Bismarck
75
Chattanooga
74.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Chattanooga, TN
$80,400
$400 more needed in Chattanooga

Formula: salary × (91.5 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.0055. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Chattanooga, TN

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

Bismarck has 8.8% lower housing costs compared to Chattanooga.

Income & Job Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

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).

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.