CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Idaho Falls, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
ID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Chattanooga is slightly cheaper than Idaho Falls — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $82,500 in Idaho Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+9.7%
Chattanooga
76.6
Idaho Falls
84
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Chattanooga
96
Idaho Falls
96.2
🚗 Transportation+3.8%
Chattanooga
100.1
Idaho Falls
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+3.9%
Chattanooga
90.5
Idaho Falls
94
Utilities6.1%
Chattanooga
74.2
Idaho Falls
69.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Idaho Falls, ID
$82,500
$2,500 more needed in Idaho Falls

Formula: salary × (94.4 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.0317. 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×

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Home Price
$399,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.8×

Idaho Falls has 9.7% 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

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Household Income
$75,800
Per Capita Income
$43,200
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
64,818
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

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)

Idaho Falls, ID
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.