CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Syracuse, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
NY
Syracuse
95.7
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Chattanooga is slightly cheaper than Syracuse — 4.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $83,700 in Syracuse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+5.4%
Chattanooga
76.6
Syracuse
80.7
🛒 Groceries+3.9%
Chattanooga
96
Syracuse
99.7
🚗 Transportation+2.5%
Chattanooga
100.1
Syracuse
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+2.7%
Chattanooga
90.5
Syracuse
92.9
Utilities+79.8%
Chattanooga
74.2
Syracuse
133.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Syracuse, NY
$83,700
$3,700 more needed in Syracuse

Formula: salary × (95.7 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.0459. 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×

Syracuse, NY

Median Home Price
$245,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
80.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.0×

Syracuse has 5.4% 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

Syracuse, NY

Median Household Income
$73,300
Per Capita Income
$41,800
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
148,458
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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)

Syracuse, NY
3.9×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.