CostIndexUSA

Bangor, ME vs Chattanooga, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ME
Bangor
96.5
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Chattanooga is moderately cheaper than Bangor — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bangor, you would need $75,900 in Chattanooga. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing1.4%
Bangor
77.7
Chattanooga
76.6
🛒 Groceries1.2%
Bangor
97.2
Chattanooga
96
🚗 Transportation7.7%
Bangor
108.4
Chattanooga
100.1
🏥 Healthcare7.7%
Bangor
98
Chattanooga
90.5
Utilities45.0%
Bangor
134.8
Chattanooga
74.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Chattanooga, TN
$75,900
$4,100 less needed in Chattanooga

Formula: salary × (91.5 ÷ 96.5) = salary × 0.9482. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bangor, ME

Median Home Price
$265,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
77.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

Chattanooga, TN

Median Home Price
$314,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
76.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

Bangor has 1.4% lower housing costs compared to Chattanooga.

Income & Job Market

Bangor, ME

Median Household Income
$66,300
Per Capita Income
$37,800
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Population
31,753
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationRetailManufacturingGovernment

Chattanooga, TN

Median Household Income
$68,700
Per Capita Income
$39,200
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
181,099
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTourismTechnologyLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bangor, ME
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Chattanooga, TN
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.