City Comparison

Chattanooga vs Kissimmee

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chattanooga

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

Kissimmee

Florida
101
Average
$365,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$51,300
Median Income

The Verdict

11.9%

Living in Chattanooga costs 11.9% less than Kissimmee. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $85,112 in Kissimmee.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
76
Chattanooga
111
Kissimmee
Groceries
94
Chattanooga
100
Kissimmee
Utilities
91
Chattanooga
88
Kissimmee
Transportation
97
Chattanooga
95
Kissimmee
Healthcare
92
Chattanooga
90
Kissimmee

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has the same purchasing power as $85,112 in Kissimmee.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kissimmee equals $66,089 in Chattanooga.

Living in Chattanooga vs Kissimmee

Housing Costs

Chattanooga's housing index of 76 is lower Kissimmee's 111, translating to median home prices of $255,000 vs $365,000. The $110,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Chattanooga compared to $1,425/mo in Kissimmee, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Chattanooga and 100 in Kissimmee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Chattanooga vs $475/month in Kissimmee. Chattanooga offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Chattanooga and 88 in Kissimmee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Chattanooga vs $352 in Kissimmee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Chattanooga and 90 in Kissimmee. 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 $51,300 in Kissimmee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,746 and $50,792 respectively. Chattanooga residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,075/month to housing in Chattanooga vs $1,197/month in Kissimmee. In Chattanooga, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Kissimmee, median rent of $1,425/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chattanooga is 11.9% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,112 in Kissimmee, based on the cost of living difference.
Chattanooga's housing index is 76 with median homes at $255,000, while Kissimmee's is 111 with median homes at $365,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases