City Comparison

Chattanooga vs Hollywood

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chattanooga

Tennessee
89
Below Average
$255,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$46,054
Median Income

Hollywood

Florida
111
Above Average
$424,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$60,300
Median Income

The Verdict

19.8%

Living in Chattanooga costs 19.8% less than Hollywood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $93,539 in Hollywood.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
76
Chattanooga
130
Hollywood
Groceries
94
Chattanooga
104
Hollywood
Utilities
91
Chattanooga
96
Hollywood
Transportation
97
Chattanooga
113
Hollywood
Healthcare
92
Chattanooga
96
Hollywood

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has the same purchasing power as $93,539 in Hollywood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $60,135 in Chattanooga.

Living in Chattanooga vs Hollywood

Housing Costs

Chattanooga's housing index of 76 is lower Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $255,000 vs $424,000. The $169,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Chattanooga compared to $1,725/mo in Hollywood, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Chattanooga and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Chattanooga vs $494/month in Hollywood. Chattanooga offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Chattanooga and 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Chattanooga vs $384 in Hollywood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Chattanooga and 96 in Hollywood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $46,054 in Chattanooga and $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,746 and $54,324 respectively. Hollywood 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 $1,407/month in Hollywood. In Chattanooga, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chattanooga is 19.8% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,539 in Hollywood, based on the cost of living difference.
Chattanooga's housing index is 76 with median homes at $255,000, while Hollywood's is 130 with median homes at $424,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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