CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Scottsdale, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
AZ
Scottsdale
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Chattanooga is moderately cheaper than Scottsdale — 12.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $90,300 in Scottsdale. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+58.2%
Chattanooga
76.6
Scottsdale
121.2
🛒 Groceries1.0%
Chattanooga
96
Scottsdale
95
🚗 Transportation+9.1%
Chattanooga
100.1
Scottsdale
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+9.2%
Chattanooga
90.5
Scottsdale
98.8
Utilities+25.7%
Chattanooga
74.2
Scottsdale
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Scottsdale, AZ
$90,300
$10,300 more needed in Scottsdale

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.1290. 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×

Scottsdale, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Scottsdale has 58.2% 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

Scottsdale, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
258,069
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismTechnologyFinanceReal Estate

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)

Scottsdale, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.