Jackson, MS vs Chattanooga, TN: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Chattanooga, TN is 2.7% more expensive than Jackson, MS (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Jackson works out to about $77,000 in Chattanooga, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 18.2% more in Chattanooga. Goods are 0.2% lower and other services 0.8% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,509 a month in Chattanooga and $1,470 in Jackson, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $319,000 in Chattanooga and $212,000 in Jackson.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (3.0%).
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: 18.2% higher in Chattanooga than in Jackson
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Jackson, MS
- Chattanooga, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jackson, MS | Chattanooga, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.0 | 91.5 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 64.8 | 76.6 |
| Utilities | 78.1 | 74.2 |
| Other services | 96.1 | 95.3 |
| Category | Jackson | Chattanooga | Chattanooga vs Jackson |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.0 | 91.5 | +2.7% |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.0 | −0.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 64.8 | 76.6 | +18.2% |
| Utilities | 78.1 | 74.2 | −5.0% |
| Other services | 96.1 | 95.3 | −0.8% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,470 | $1,509 | +2.7% |
| Typical home value | $212,000 | $319,000 | +50.2% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Jackson | $75,000 | $77,000 | +2.7% |
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 Jackson and Chattanooga has widened since 2008: 0.6 points then, 2.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Jackson, MS
- Chattanooga, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jackson, MS | Chattanooga, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 91.6 | 92.2 |
| 2009 | 90.9 | 91.6 |
| 2010 | 93.3 | 93.8 |
| 2011 | 93.1 | 93.6 |
| 2012 | 93.0 | 94.4 |
| 2013 | 93.0 | 93.4 |
| 2014 | 92.7 | 93.5 |
| 2015 | 92.9 | 93.6 |
| 2016 | 93.5 | 93.8 |
| 2017 | 92.6 | 94.1 |
| 2018 | 88.7 | 89.4 |
| 2019 | 88.6 | 91.3 |
| 2020 | 88.9 | 90.1 |
| 2021 | 88.5 | 90.0 |
| 2022 | 90.2 | 92.5 |
| 2023 | 89.8 | 92.4 |
| 2024 | 89.0 | 91.5 |
Goods
- Jackson, MS
- Chattanooga, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jackson, MS | Chattanooga, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.7 | 97.1 |
| 2009 | 94.4 | 94.9 |
| 2010 | 96.7 | 96.9 |
| 2011 | 96.3 | 96.6 |
| 2012 | 95.7 | 96.6 |
| 2013 | 96.3 | 96.9 |
| 2014 | 96.7 | 97.3 |
| 2015 | 95.5 | 96.2 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 97.0 |
| 2017 | 95.9 | 96.7 |
| 2018 | 93.1 | 92.2 |
| 2019 | 94.9 | 94.5 |
| 2020 | 94.6 | 94.1 |
| 2021 | 94.2 | 93.7 |
| 2022 | 94.2 | 94.2 |
| 2023 | 94.4 | 94.1 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 96.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Jackson, MS
- Chattanooga, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jackson, MS | Chattanooga, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 68.3 | 71.9 |
| 2009 | 71.7 | 74.2 |
| 2010 | 75.3 | 76.1 |
| 2011 | 71.5 | 72.7 |
| 2012 | 71.2 | 75.4 |
| 2013 | 71.4 | 72.0 |
| 2014 | 68.5 | 71.8 |
| 2015 | 72.2 | 72.7 |
| 2016 | 71.9 | 70.5 |
| 2017 | 70.9 | 75.2 |
| 2018 | 66.0 | 72.0 |
| 2019 | 61.3 | 75.5 |
| 2020 | 66.3 | 72.5 |
| 2021 | 64.4 | 73.4 |
| 2022 | 67.3 | 79.6 |
| 2023 | 65.6 | 78.3 |
| 2024 | 64.8 | 76.6 |
Utilities
- Jackson, MS
- Chattanooga, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jackson, MS | Chattanooga, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 88.2 | 82.8 |
| 2009 | 84.4 | 83.4 |
| 2010 | 84.7 | 83.8 |
| 2011 | 84.1 | 86.8 |
| 2012 | 85.0 | 86.7 |
| 2013 | 85.9 | 85.4 |
| 2014 | 88.8 | 87.1 |
| 2015 | 89.3 | 86.1 |
| 2016 | 85.0 | 84.9 |
| 2017 | 84.9 | 82.9 |
| 2018 | 79.9 | 79.2 |
| 2019 | 78.4 | 77.1 |
| 2020 | 77.6 | 75.5 |
| 2021 | 80.4 | 77.9 |
| 2022 | 80.3 | 79.2 |
| 2023 | 83.6 | 78.9 |
| 2024 | 78.1 | 74.2 |
Other services
- Jackson, MS
- Chattanooga, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Jackson, MS | Chattanooga, TN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.7 | 98.0 |
| 2009 | 97.0 | 97.6 |
| 2010 | 98.9 | 99.7 |
| 2011 | 100.8 | 101.1 |
| 2012 | 100.8 | 101.4 |
| 2013 | 100.4 | 100.5 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 100.2 |
| 2015 | 100.2 | 100.9 |
| 2016 | 100.8 | 102.2 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 100.3 |
| 2018 | 95.7 | 94.5 |
| 2019 | 96.2 | 96.0 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 95.1 |
| 2021 | 94.7 | 94.7 |
| 2022 | 97.1 | 96.6 |
| 2023 | 97.7 | 97.1 |
| 2024 | 96.1 | 95.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,509 in Chattanooga vs $1,470 in Jackson
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Jackson, MS
- Chattanooga, 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
| Jackson, MS | Chattanooga, 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 | $969 | $895 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $975 | $885 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $978 | $886 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $980 | $911 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $996 | $922 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $988 | $933 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $995 | $937 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,015 | $963 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,005 | $980 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,006 | $973 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,022 | $994 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,021 | $1,009 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,020 | $1,037 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,036 | $1,029 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,053 | $1,024 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,064 | $1,043 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,057 | $1,083 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,079 | $1,104 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,087 | $1,110 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,097 | $1,126 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,143 | $1,216 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,165 | $1,252 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,173 | $1,294 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,185 | $1,331 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,224 | $1,381 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,259 | $1,385 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,249 | $1,372 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,250 | $1,403 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,289 | $1,426 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,295 | $1,446 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,290 | $1,432 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,308 | $1,445 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,345 | $1,476 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,359 | $1,476 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,367 | $1,440 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,382 | $1,466 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,397 | $1,472 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,415 | $1,474 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,426 | $1,463 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,439 | $1,472 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,459 | $1,490 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,470 | $1,509 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $319,000 in Chattanooga vs $212,000 in Jackson
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Jackson, MS
- Chattanooga, 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
| Jackson, MS | Chattanooga, TN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $126K | $155K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $129K | $157K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $131K | $159K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $133K | $162K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $134K | $164K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $135K | $166K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $136K | $168K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $137K | $171K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $137K | $174K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $138K | $176K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $139K | $179K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $141K | $182K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $142K | $184K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $143K | $186K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $144K | $188K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $145K | $191K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $148K | $195K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $151K | $198K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $152K | $201K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $153K | $206K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $155K | $209K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $156K | $212K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $158K | $218K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $163K | $227K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $169K | $237K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $175K | $249K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $179K | $260K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $184K | $268K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $190K | $281K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $195K | $293K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $198K | $296K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $198K | $294K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $195K | $296K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $199K | $303K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $201K | $308K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $198K | $310K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $198K | $314K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $201K | $320K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $200K | $321K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $203K | $321K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $208K | $322K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $207K | $321K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $207K | $320K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $208K | $320K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $212K | $322K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $213K | $321K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $212K | $319K | $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.