CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Kansas City, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
MO
Kansas City
92.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Chattanooga is slightly cheaper than Kansas City — 1.1% lower overall cost of living.

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

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+13.1%
Chattanooga
76.6
Kansas City
86.6
🛒 Groceries2.0%
Chattanooga
96
Kansas City
94.1
🚗 Transportation2.1%
Chattanooga
100.1
Kansas City
98
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Chattanooga
90.5
Kansas City
88.7
Utilities+19.9%
Chattanooga
74.2
Kansas City
89

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Kansas City, MO
$80,900
$900 more needed in Kansas City

Formula: salary × (92.5 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.0109. 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×

Kansas City, MO

Median Home Price
$312,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
86.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.9×

Kansas City has 13.1% 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

Kansas City, MO

Median Household Income
$79,800
Per Capita Income
$45,500
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
508,394
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernment

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)

Kansas City, MO
4.6×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.