City Comparison

Chattanooga vs Pueblo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chattanooga

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

Pueblo

Colorado
90
Below Average
$247,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Chattanooga being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chattanooga has equivalent purchasing power to $75,843 in Pueblo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
76
Chattanooga
81
Pueblo
Groceries
94
Chattanooga
99
Pueblo
Utilities
91
Chattanooga
96
Pueblo
Transportation
97
Chattanooga
99
Pueblo
Healthcare
92
Chattanooga
102
Pueblo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has the same purchasing power as $75,843 in Pueblo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Pueblo equals $74,167 in Chattanooga.

Living in Chattanooga vs Pueblo

Housing Costs

Chattanooga's housing index of 76 is lower Pueblo's 81, translating to median home prices of $255,000 vs $247,000. The $8,000 difference in home prices means roughly $516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Chattanooga compared to $1,075/mo in Pueblo, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Chattanooga and 99 in Pueblo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Chattanooga vs $470/month in Pueblo. 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 96 in Pueblo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Chattanooga vs $384 in Pueblo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Chattanooga and 102 in Pueblo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $56,700 in Pueblo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,746 and $63,000 respectively. Pueblo 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 $1,323/month in Pueblo. In Chattanooga, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Pueblo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chattanooga is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Chattanooga has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,843 in Pueblo, based on the cost of living difference.
Chattanooga's housing index is 76 with median homes at $255,000, while Pueblo's is 81 with median homes at $247,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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