Living in Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga is the 135th-largest city in the US, home to about 194,000 people in 2025. It has grown 6.9% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (91.5 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 194,144+6.9% since 2020
- Median home value
- $283,2004.4 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,256/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $64,523median, per year
- Price level
- 91.5US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 51° / 91°lows 32° / 71°
- Average commute
- 19 min14% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Hamilton County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 676 ft
Metro area: Chattanooga, TN-GA
Cost of living in Chattanooga
The median home in Chattanooga is worth $283,200 and the median household earns $64,523 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.4 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,256 a month, about 23% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area at 91.5, with housing at 76.5 and goods at 96.0 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,600 here. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Tennessee is 9.61%.
What would my salary be worth in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga weather
Average highs run from 51°F in January to 90°F in July, and January nights average 32°F. It gets 55 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 4 inches of snow. Expect about 58 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are May and September to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Chattanooga
People and work
The median resident is 36.3 years old, and 36% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 52% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 18 minutes; 14% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.3260th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 36%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 52%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,364142.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.4%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 19.1%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1976median year
Who moves to Chattanooga, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Nashville (Davidson County), Memphis (Shelby County) and Atlanta (Fulton County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Nashville (Davidson County), Atlanta (Fulton County) and Memphis (Shelby County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Hamilton County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, inland flooding, winter weather, strong wind.
Home prices
+1.9% in a year
Up 52% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Chattanooga, TN-GA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
51% good days
5 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Chattanooga, TN-GA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Chattanooga
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in Chattanooga
- Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga 7 miles
- Dalton State College 25 miles
- Southern Adventist University 14 miles
- Lee University 26 miles
- Covenant College 7 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Chattanooga
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport CHA | 6 mi | 557,741 |
| Huntsville International Airport HSV | 88 mi | 804,665 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Chattanooga
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | in town | 10,074 | $15,026 | 56% |
| Chattanooga State Community College | 5 mi | 5,284 | $5,286 | 29% |
| Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga | 7 mi | 4,462 | $24,814 | n/a |
| Southern Adventist University | 14 mi | 2,773 | $25,979 | 56% |
| Covenant College | 7 mi | 939 | $23,147 | 69% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Chattanooga
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 24, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 31 and the first frost comes around November 9.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Chattanooga Lovell Airport, TN, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Chattanooga.
Wildfire smoke in Chattanooga
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Chattanooga on about 131 days a year, including about 19 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Chattanooga
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 79,084 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Chattanooga
Downtown Chattanooga is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 45,981 | 82 | n/a |
Other districts within 10 miles: Catoosa County School District (10,134 students), Walker County School District (8,379 students), Marion County School District (3,844 students), Dade County School District (1,988 students), Sequatchie County School District (1,924 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Chattanooga's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Chattanooga's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Little Rock, AR84% matchCompare
- Greenville, NC81% matchCompare
- Fayetteville, NC79% matchCompare
- Columbia, SC78% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Chattanooga
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Chattanooga
- Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski Area 109 miles
- Cataloochee Ski Area 130 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Chattanooga
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 9% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Commutes are short: 18 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.61% on average with local taxes.
Chattanooga report card from locals
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Cities near Chattanooga
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | 74 mi | 233,627 | $293,600 | 93.1 | Compare |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 83 mi | 171,178 | $402,100 | 96.3 | Compare |
| Roswell, GA | 89 mi | 91,505 | $567,100 | 100.1 | Compare |
| Mableton, GA | 93 mi | 78,820 | $313,100 | 100.1 | Compare |
| Sandy Springs, GA | 94 mi | 105,013 | $619,800 | 100.1 | Compare |
| Johns Creek, GA | 94 mi | 80,401 | $629,400 | 100.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Chattanooga with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Chattanooga a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, a growing population, no state income tax on wages, short commutes. Compare Chattanooga side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Chattanooga?
The Census Bureau estimates Chattanooga had 194,144 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 181,659 in April 2020 (+6.9%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Chattanooga?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,600 in the Chattanooga area. The median household here earns $64,523.
When is the best time to visit Chattanooga?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May and September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 90°F and January 51°F for daytime highs.
What county is Chattanooga in?
Chattanooga is in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Chattanooga in?
Chattanooga is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Chattanooga?
About 676 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
No. Tennessee does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Chattanooga. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Chattanooga Lovell Airport, TN station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.