Chattanooga vs Duluth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Chattanooga
Duluth
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 4.7%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chattanooga has equivalent purchasing power to $71,629 in Duluth.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has the same purchasing power as $71,629 in Duluth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $78,529 in Chattanooga.
Living in Chattanooga vs Duluth
Housing Costs
Chattanooga's housing index of 76 is lower Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $255,000 vs $268,000. The $13,000 difference in home prices means roughly $840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Chattanooga compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Chattanooga and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Chattanooga vs $470/month in Duluth. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Chattanooga and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Chattanooga vs $376 in Duluth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Chattanooga and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $46,054 in Chattanooga and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,746 and $80,941 respectively. Duluth residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,075/month to housing in Chattanooga vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Chattanooga, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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