CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Springfield, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
MA
Springfield
96.1
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Chattanooga is moderately cheaper than Springfield — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $84,000 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing1.0%
Chattanooga
76.6
Springfield
75.8
🛒 Groceries+1.0%
Chattanooga
96
Springfield
97
🚗 Transportation+6.2%
Chattanooga
100.1
Springfield
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+6.2%
Chattanooga
90.5
Springfield
96.1
Utilities+108.9%
Chattanooga
74.2
Springfield
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MA
$84,000
$4,000 more needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (96.1 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.0503. 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×

Springfield, MA

Median Home Price
$356,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
75.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Chattanooga has 1.0% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

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

Springfield, MA

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
155,929
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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)

Springfield, MA
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.