Chattanooga, TN vs Johnson City, TN: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Johnson City, TN is 3.9% less expensive than Chattanooga, TN (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Chattanooga works out to about $72,100 in Johnson City, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 17.5% less in Johnson City. Goods are 0.3% higher and other services 0.2% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,488 a month in Johnson City and $1,509 in Chattanooga, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $280,000 in Johnson City and $319,000 in Chattanooga.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Johnson City was 2.3% less expensive than Chattanooga.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 17.5% lower in Johnson City than in Chattanooga
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Chattanooga, TN
- Johnson City, TN
All items Chattanooga, TN: 91.5 Johnson City, TN: 87.9
Goods Chattanooga, TN: 96.0 Johnson City, TN: 96.2
Housing (rents) Chattanooga, TN: 76.6 Johnson City, TN: 63.2
Utilities Chattanooga, TN: 74.2 Johnson City, TN: 71.9
Other services Chattanooga, TN: 95.3 Johnson City, TN: 95.1
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.5 | 87.9 |
| Goods | 96.0 | 96.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 76.6 | 63.2 |
| Utilities | 74.2 | 71.9 |
| Other services | 95.3 | 95.1 |
| Category | Chattanooga | Johnson City | Johnson City vs Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.5 | 87.9 | −3.9% |
| Goods | 96.0 | 96.2 | +0.3% |
| Housing (rents) | 76.6 | 63.2 | −17.5% |
| Utilities | 74.2 | 71.9 | −3.1% |
| Other services | 95.3 | 95.1 | −0.2% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,509 | $1,488 | −1.4% |
| Typical home value | $319,000 | $280,000 | −12.3% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Chattanooga | $75,000 | $72,100 | −3.9% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Chattanooga and Johnson City has widened since 2008: 0.6 points then, 3.5 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Chattanooga, TN
- Johnson City, TN
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.2 | 91.6 |
| 2009 | 91.6 | 89.9 |
| 2010 | 93.8 | 90.7 |
| 2011 | 93.6 | 91.9 |
| 2012 | 94.4 | 93.5 |
| 2013 | 93.4 | 89.7 |
| 2014 | 93.5 | 91.5 |
| 2015 | 93.6 | 91.5 |
| 2016 | 93.8 | 91.6 |
| 2017 | 94.1 | 90.0 |
| 2018 | 89.4 | 86.4 |
| 2019 | 91.3 | 89.1 |
| 2020 | 90.1 | 88.5 |
| 2021 | 90.0 | 87.0 |
| 2022 | 92.5 | 87.4 |
| 2023 | 92.4 | 88.4 |
| 2024 | 91.5 | 87.9 |
Goods
- Chattanooga, TN
- Johnson City, TN
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.1 | 97.3 |
| 2009 | 94.9 | 95.1 |
| 2010 | 96.9 | 97.0 |
| 2011 | 96.6 | 96.9 |
| 2012 | 96.6 | 97.1 |
| 2013 | 96.9 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 97.3 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 96.2 | 96.6 |
| 2016 | 97.0 | 97.4 |
| 2017 | 96.7 | 97.2 |
| 2018 | 92.2 | 92.3 |
| 2019 | 94.5 | 94.5 |
| 2020 | 94.1 | 94.3 |
| 2021 | 93.7 | 93.9 |
| 2022 | 94.2 | 94.5 |
| 2023 | 94.1 | 94.3 |
| 2024 | 96.0 | 96.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Chattanooga, TN
- Johnson City, TN
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 71.9 | 69.7 |
| 2009 | 74.2 | 67.5 |
| 2010 | 76.1 | 62.3 |
| 2011 | 72.7 | 65.2 |
| 2012 | 75.4 | 69.6 |
| 2013 | 72.0 | 59.7 |
| 2014 | 71.8 | 64.2 |
| 2015 | 72.7 | 64.9 |
| 2016 | 70.5 | 60.3 |
| 2017 | 75.2 | 58.3 |
| 2018 | 72.0 | 58.3 |
| 2019 | 75.5 | 67.1 |
| 2020 | 72.5 | 66.6 |
| 2021 | 73.4 | 59.8 |
| 2022 | 79.6 | 56.2 |
| 2023 | 78.3 | 63.6 |
| 2024 | 76.6 | 63.2 |
Utilities
- Chattanooga, TN
- Johnson City, TN
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 82.8 | 80.6 |
| 2009 | 83.4 | 81.2 |
| 2010 | 83.8 | 81.9 |
| 2011 | 86.8 | 84.6 |
| 2012 | 86.7 | 84.0 |
| 2013 | 85.4 | 82.4 |
| 2014 | 87.1 | 84.5 |
| 2015 | 86.1 | 83.3 |
| 2016 | 84.9 | 82.5 |
| 2017 | 82.9 | 80.0 |
| 2018 | 79.2 | 77.1 |
| 2019 | 77.1 | 75.7 |
| 2020 | 75.5 | 73.1 |
| 2021 | 77.9 | 75.4 |
| 2022 | 79.2 | 76.8 |
| 2023 | 78.9 | 76.7 |
| 2024 | 74.2 | 71.9 |
Other services
- Chattanooga, TN
- Johnson City, TN
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.0 | 98.2 |
| 2009 | 97.6 | 97.9 |
| 2010 | 99.7 | 100.0 |
| 2011 | 101.1 | 101.7 |
| 2012 | 101.4 | 101.9 |
| 2013 | 100.5 | 100.7 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 100.3 |
| 2015 | 100.9 | 101.2 |
| 2016 | 102.2 | 102.7 |
| 2017 | 100.3 | 100.8 |
| 2018 | 94.5 | 94.5 |
| 2019 | 96.0 | 95.9 |
| 2020 | 95.1 | 95.1 |
| 2021 | 94.7 | 94.5 |
| 2022 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2023 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2024 | 95.3 | 95.1 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,488 in Johnson City vs $1,509 in Chattanooga
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Chattanooga, TN
- Johnson City, TN
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $852 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $847 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $858 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $867 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $901 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $895 | $759 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $885 | $761 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $886 | $761 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $911 | $778 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $922 | $794 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $933 | $785 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $937 | $789 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $963 | $806 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $980 | $816 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $973 | $820 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $994 | $809 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,009 | $833 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,037 | $855 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,029 | $863 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,024 | $885 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,043 | $889 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,083 | $879 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,104 | $917 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,110 | $923 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,126 | $951 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,216 | $982 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,252 | $1,037 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,294 | $1,125 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,331 | $1,107 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,381 | $1,183 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,385 | $1,216 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,372 | $1,222 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,403 | $1,247 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,426 | $1,288 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,446 | $1,296 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,432 | $1,302 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,445 | $1,324 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,476 | $1,361 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,476 | $1,365 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,440 | $1,384 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,466 | $1,403 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,472 | $1,429 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,474 | $1,448 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,463 | $1,440 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,472 | $1,445 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,490 | $1,446 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,509 | $1,488 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $280,000 in Johnson City vs $319,000 in Chattanooga
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Chattanooga, TN
- Johnson City, TN
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Chattanooga, TN | Johnson City, TN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $155K | $136K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $157K | $138K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $159K | $140K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $162K | $141K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $164K | $142K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $166K | $142K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $168K | $144K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $171K | $147K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $174K | $147K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $176K | $147K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $179K | $149K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $182K | $152K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $184K | $153K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $186K | $154K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $188K | $155K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $191K | $156K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $195K | $160K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $198K | $163K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $201K | $165K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $206K | $168K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $209K | $173K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $212K | $176K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $218K | $178K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $227K | $185K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $237K | $192K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $249K | $202K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $260K | $213K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $268K | $221K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $281K | $232K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $293K | $240K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $296K | $242K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $294K | $241K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $296K | $244K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $303K | $253K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $308K | $262K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $310K | $267K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $314K | $268K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $320K | $274K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $321K | $275K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $321K | $275K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $322K | $277K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $321K | $276K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $320K | $276K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $320K | $275K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $322K | $277K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $321K | $279K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $319K | $280K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.