CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Kingsport, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Kingsport
86.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Kingsport is moderately cheaper than Chattanooga — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $75,500 in Kingsport. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.2%
Chattanooga
76.6
Kingsport
56.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Chattanooga
96
Kingsport
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Chattanooga
100.1
Kingsport
100.6
🏥 Healthcare+0.6%
Chattanooga
90.5
Kingsport
91
Utilities+2.3%
Chattanooga
74.2
Kingsport
75.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Kingsport, TN
$75,500
$4,500 less needed in Kingsport

Formula: salary × (86.4 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 0.9443. 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×

Kingsport, TN

Median Home Price
$235,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
56.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.0×

Chattanooga has 26.2% lower housing costs compared to Kingsport.

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

Kingsport, TN

Median Household Income
$53,800
Per Capita Income
$30,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
55,442
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareChemicalsRetailGovernment

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)

Kingsport, TN
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.