Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
8% cheaper
Jackson is 8% more affordable than Chattanooga. A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga is equivalent to $69,101 in Jackson.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · Mississippi salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chattanooga has a housing index of 76 while Jackson sits at 56 (national average = 100). The median home in Chattanooga costs $255,000 compared to $125,000 in Jackson, a difference of $130,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Chattanooga versus $900 in Jackson.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Chattanooga scores 94 while Jackson scores 95.
Healthcare costs in Chattanooga (92) are higher than Jackson (88).
Median household income in Chattanooga is $46,054 compared to $36,528 in Jackson. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Jackson.
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