Median Home
$275,000
Rent (1BR)
$1,000/mo
Cost of Living
88 / 100
Unemployment
3.3%
Sunny Days
207/yr
Walkability
Car-Dependent
What It's Really Like in Chattanooga
A mid-sized city reinvented as an outdoor recreation paradise with the nation's fastest municipal broadband, Rock City/Lookout Mountain attractions, and a charming downtown.
Neighborhood Guide
Where to live in Chattanooga based on your lifestyle and budget.
Southside
trendyMain Street restaurants, Station Street entertainment, and a walkable creative district.
Avg Rent
$1,100
Home Price
$300,000
Walkability
Medium
North Shore
trendyCoolidge Park, Frazier Avenue shops, and walking bridge to downtown.
Avg Rent
$1,200
Home Price
$350,000
Walkability
Medium
St. Elmo
artsyLookout Mountain base community with local shops and the Incline Railway.
Avg Rent
$900
Home Price
$250,000
Walkability
Medium
Signal Mountain
family-friendlyMountain community with excellent schools and scenic beauty above the city.
Avg Rent
$1,100
Home Price
$380,000
Walkability
Low
Cost of Living Breakdown
Compared to the national average (100). Below 100 = cheaper, above 100 = more expensive.
Groceries
92
8% below avg
Housing
72
28% below avg
Transportation
90
10% below avg
Healthcare
88
12% below avg
Utilities
92
8% below avg
Best Neighborhoods By Situation
Best for Families
- Signal Mountain — $1,100/mo rent
Best for Young Professionals
- Southside — $1,100/mo rent
- North Shore — $1,200/mo rent
Most Affordable
- St. Elmo — $900/mo rent
- Southside — $1,100/mo rent
Getting Around Chattanooga
Walkability: Car-Dependent
Chattanooga is primarily car-dependent. You'll need a vehicle for most daily activities including commuting, shopping, and entertainment.
Airport: CHA
Chattanooga is served by CHA airport, connecting you to major domestic and international destinations. This is important if you travel frequently for work or want to visit family back home.
Jobs & Economy
Median Income
$44,994
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
State Income Tax
0%
Cost of Living Index
88
Top Industries
InsuranceHealthcareAutomotive ManufacturingTechnologyTourism
Major Employers
Erlanger Health SystemBlueCross BlueShield of TennesseeVolkswagenUnum GroupTennessee Valley Authority
Popular Routes to Chattanooga
People are moving to Chattanooga from these cities.
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga
948 miles17.2hr driveI-65 North
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga
2,427 miles44.1hr driveI-40 West
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga
635 miles11.5hr driveI-65 North
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga
898 miles16.3hr driveI-65 South
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga
1,987 miles36.1hr driveI-40 West
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga
846 miles15.4hr driveI-40 East
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga
1,120 miles20.4hr driveI-40 West
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga
2,374 miles43.2hr driveI-40 West
Chattanooga, TNChattanooga
880 miles16hr driveI-40 West
Moving from Chattanooga to Other States
Route guides from Chattanooga, TN to every US state.
Chattanooga → CaliforniaChattanooga → TexasChattanooga → FloridaChattanooga → New YorkChattanooga → PennsylvaniaChattanooga → IllinoisChattanooga → OhioChattanooga → GeorgiaChattanooga → North CarolinaChattanooga → MichiganChattanooga → New JerseyChattanooga → VirginiaChattanooga → WashingtonChattanooga → ArizonaChattanooga → MassachusettsChattanooga → IndianaChattanooga → MarylandChattanooga → MissouriChattanooga → WisconsinChattanooga → ColoradoChattanooga → MinnesotaChattanooga → South CarolinaChattanooga → AlabamaChattanooga → LouisianaChattanooga → KentuckyChattanooga → OregonChattanooga → OklahomaChattanooga → ConnecticutChattanooga → UtahChattanooga → IowaChattanooga → NevadaChattanooga → ArkansasChattanooga → MississippiChattanooga → KansasChattanooga → New MexicoChattanooga → NebraskaChattanooga → IdahoChattanooga → West VirginiaChattanooga → HawaiiChattanooga → New HampshireChattanooga → MaineChattanooga → Rhode IslandChattanooga → MontanaChattanooga → DelawareChattanooga → South DakotaChattanooga → North DakotaChattanooga → AlaskaChattanooga → District of ColumbiaChattanooga → VermontChattanooga → Wyoming
Moving from Chattanooga to Metro Areas
Route guides from Chattanooga to major metropolitan areas.
Chattanooga → New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJChattanooga → Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CAChattanooga → Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-INChattanooga → San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CAChattanooga → Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TXChattanooga → Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVChattanooga → Trenton-Princeton, NJChattanooga → Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CTChattanooga → Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MDChattanooga → Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FLChattanooga → Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZChattanooga → Vallejo, CAChattanooga → Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TXChattanooga → Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WAChattanooga → Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MDChattanooga → Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WAChattanooga → Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NHChattanooga → Denver-Aurora-Centennial, COChattanooga → Kenosha, WIChattanooga → Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Moving from Chattanooga to Major Cities
Route guides from Chattanooga to the largest US cities.
Chattanooga → New York, NYChattanooga → Los Angeles, CAChattanooga → Chicago, ILChattanooga → Houston, TXChattanooga → Phoenix, AZChattanooga → Philadelphia, PAChattanooga → San Antonio, TXChattanooga → San Diego, CAChattanooga → Dallas, TXChattanooga → Austin, TXChattanooga → San Jose, CAChattanooga → Jacksonville, FLChattanooga → Fort Worth, TXChattanooga → Columbus, OHChattanooga → Charlotte, NCChattanooga → Indianapolis, INChattanooga → San Francisco, CAChattanooga → Seattle, WAChattanooga → Denver, COChattanooga → Nashville, TNChattanooga → Oklahoma City, OKChattanooga → Washington, DCChattanooga → El Paso, TXChattanooga → Boston, MAChattanooga → Portland, ORChattanooga → Las Vegas, NVChattanooga → Memphis, TNChattanooga → Louisville, KYChattanooga → Baltimore, MDChattanooga → Milwaukee, WI
Your Chattanooga Newcomer Checklist
A 30-60-90 day plan to get settled in your new city.
30
First 30 Days
- Update your driver's license & vehicle registration
- Register to vote at your new address
- Set up utilities (electric, water, internet)
- Find a primary care doctor & dentist
- Open a local bank account if needed
- Explore your neighborhood on foot
60
Days 30–60
- Join a local gym, club, or meetup group
- Try restaurants in different neighborhoods
- Find your go-to grocery store & pharmacy
- Learn the best commute routes & shortcuts
- Attend a local event or festival
- Meet your neighbors — introduce yourself
90
Days 60–90
- Establish a weekend routine (parks, brunch spots)
- Build a professional network in your industry
- Find a favorite coffee shop to work from
- Explore day-trip destinations nearby
- Start feeling like a local — give directions!
- Invite friends & family to visit your new home