CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Springfield, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Springfield
88.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Springfield is slightly cheaper than Chattanooga — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $77,500 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing14.4%
Chattanooga
76.6
Springfield
65.6
🛒 Groceries1.9%
Chattanooga
96
Springfield
94.2
🚗 Transportation2.4%
Chattanooga
100.1
Springfield
97.7
🏥 Healthcare2.3%
Chattanooga
90.5
Springfield
88.4
Utilities+15.6%
Chattanooga
74.2
Springfield
85.8

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, MO
$77,500
$2,500 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (88.6 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 0.9683. 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, MO

Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
65.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Chattanooga has 14.4% 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, MO

Median Household Income
$62,900
Per Capita Income
$35,900
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
167,882
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailFinance

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, MO
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.