Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
6% cheaper
Chattanooga is 6% more affordable than Fort Worth. A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth is equivalent to $70,263 in Chattanooga.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chattanooga has a housing index of 76 while Fort Worth sits at 87 (national average = 100). The median home in Chattanooga costs $255,000 compared to $270,000 in Fort Worth, a difference of $15,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Chattanooga versus $1,400 in Fort Worth.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Chattanooga scores 94 while Fort Worth scores 96.
Healthcare costs in Chattanooga (92) are lower than Fort Worth (100).
Median household income in Chattanooga is $46,054 compared to $62,187 in Fort Worth. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Chattanooga.
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