Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
50% cheaper
Chattanooga is 50% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $37,500 in Chattanooga.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Tennessee salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while Chattanooga sits at 76 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $255,000 in Chattanooga, a difference of $635,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $1,200 in Chattanooga.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Cambridge scores 110 while Chattanooga scores 94.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Chattanooga (92).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $46,054 in Chattanooga. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Chattanooga.
Amazon affiliate links