Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
18% cheaper
Chattanooga is 18% more affordable than Asheville. A $75,000 salary in Asheville is equivalent to $61,806 in Chattanooga.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Tennessee salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Asheville has a housing index of 120 while Chattanooga sits at 76 (national average = 100). The median home in Asheville costs $360,000 compared to $255,000 in Chattanooga, a difference of $105,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Asheville versus $1,200 in Chattanooga.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Asheville scores 103 while Chattanooga scores 94.
Healthcare costs in Asheville (106) are higher than Chattanooga (92).
Median household income in Asheville is $48,534 compared to $46,054 in Chattanooga. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Chattanooga.
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