CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Vallejo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
CA
Vallejo
108.5
overall index
$2,375/mo rent

Chattanooga is significantly cheaper than Vallejo — 18.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $94,900 in Vallejo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+85.4%
Chattanooga
76.6
Vallejo
142
🛒 Groceries+9.6%
Chattanooga
96
Vallejo
105.2
🚗 Transportation+5.2%
Chattanooga
100.1
Vallejo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+5.3%
Chattanooga
90.5
Vallejo
95.3
Utilities+108.9%
Chattanooga
74.2
Vallejo
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Vallejo, CA
$94,900
$14,900 more needed in Vallejo

Formula: salary × (108.5 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.1858. 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×

Vallejo, CA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,375
Housing Index
142
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Vallejo has 85.4% 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

Vallejo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,000
Per Capita Income
$57,000
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
121,253
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Vallejo, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.