CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Providence, RI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
RI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Chattanooga is moderately cheaper than Providence — 11.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $89,000 in Providence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+35.6%
Chattanooga
76.6
Providence
103.9
🛒 Groceries+1.1%
Chattanooga
96
Providence
97.1
🚗 Transportation+7.3%
Chattanooga
100.1
Providence
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+7.4%
Chattanooga
90.5
Providence
97.2
Utilities+100.5%
Chattanooga
74.2
Providence
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Providence, RI
$89,000
$9,000 more needed in Providence

Formula: salary × (101.8 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.1126. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chattanooga, TN

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

Providence, RI

Median Home Price
$501,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
103.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1×

Providence has 35.6% higher housing costs compared to Chattanooga.

Income & Job Market

Chattanooga, TN

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

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

Affordability at a Glance

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

Chattanooga, TN
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Providence, RI
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.