City Comparison

Chattanooga vs North Las Vegas

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chattanooga

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

North Las Vegas

Nevada
111
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$78,500
Median Income

The Verdict

19.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.8%, with Chattanooga being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chattanooga has equivalent purchasing power to $93,539 in North Las Vegas.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
76
Chattanooga
120
North Las Vegas
Groceries
94
Chattanooga
104
North Las Vegas
Utilities
91
Chattanooga
109
North Las Vegas
Transportation
97
Chattanooga
116
North Las Vegas
Healthcare
92
Chattanooga
85
North Las Vegas

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in North Las Vegas equals $60,135 in Chattanooga.

Living in Chattanooga vs North Las Vegas

Housing Costs

Chattanooga's housing index of 76 is lower North Las Vegas's 120, translating to median home prices of $255,000 vs $405,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Chattanooga compared to $1,600/mo in North Las Vegas, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Chattanooga and 104 in North Las Vegas. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Chattanooga vs $494/month in North Las Vegas. 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 109 in North Las Vegas. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Chattanooga vs $436 in North Las Vegas. 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 85 in North Las Vegas. 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 $78,500 in North Las Vegas. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,746 and $70,721 respectively. North Las Vegas 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 $1,832/month in North Las Vegas. In Chattanooga, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In North Las Vegas, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 44 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 North Las Vegas, based on the cost of living difference.
Chattanooga's housing index is 76 with median homes at $255,000, while North Las Vegas's is 120 with median homes at $405,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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