CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Tampa, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
FL
Tampa
100.9
overall index
$1,975/mo rent

Chattanooga is moderately cheaper than Tampa — 10.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $88,200 in Tampa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+64.2%
Chattanooga
76.6
Tampa
125.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Chattanooga
96
Tampa
95.5
🚗 Transportation+2.3%
Chattanooga
100.1
Tampa
102.4
🏥 Healthcare+2.4%
Chattanooga
90.5
Tampa
92.7
Utilities+19.3%
Chattanooga
74.2
Tampa
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$88,200
$8,200 more needed in Tampa

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.1027. 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×

Tampa, FL

Median Home Price
$352,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,975
Housing Index
125.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Tampa has 64.2% 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

Tampa, FL

Median Household Income
$72,700
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
399,700
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareTourismTechnologyLogistics

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)

Tampa, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.