CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs Chattanooga, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Chattanooga is moderately cheaper than Boise — 7.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $74,400 in Chattanooga. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing27.5%
Boise
105.6
Chattanooga
76.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boise
96.2
Chattanooga
96
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Boise
103.9
Chattanooga
100.1
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Boise
94
Chattanooga
90.5
Utilities+5.0%
Boise
70.7
Chattanooga
74.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Chattanooga, TN
$74,400
$5,600 less needed in Chattanooga

Formula: salary × (91.5 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.9299. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boise, ID

Median Home Price
$479,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8×

Chattanooga, TN

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

Boise has 27.5% lower housing costs compared to Chattanooga.

Income & Job Market

Boise, ID

Median Household Income
$82,500
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
235,984
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingFinanceAgriculture

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).

Boise, ID
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.