City Comparison

Chattanooga vs London

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chattanooga

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

London

United Kingdom
115
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

The Verdict

22.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.6%, with Chattanooga being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chattanooga has equivalent purchasing power to $96,910 in London.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
76
Chattanooga
162
London
Groceries
94
Chattanooga
92
London
Utilities
91
Chattanooga
112
London
Transportation
97
Chattanooga
125
London
Healthcare
92
Chattanooga
78
London

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has the same purchasing power as $96,910 in London.

Conversely, $75,000 in London equals $58,043 in Chattanooga.

Living in Chattanooga vs London

Housing Costs

Chattanooga's housing index of 76 is lower London's 162, translating to median home prices of $255,000 vs $695,000. The $440,000 difference in home prices means roughly $28,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Chattanooga compared to $2,400/mo in London, a monthly difference of $1,200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Chattanooga and 92 in London. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Chattanooga vs $437/month in London. 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 112 in London. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Chattanooga vs $448 in London. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Chattanooga and 78 in London. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $55,000 in London. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,746 and $47,826 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 $1,283/month in London. In Chattanooga, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chattanooga is 22.6% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,910 in London, based on the cost of living difference.
Chattanooga's housing index is 76 with median homes at $255,000, while London's is 162 with median homes at $695,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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