Cost of Living: Tallahassee, FL vs Chattanooga, TN (2026)

Tallahassee

Florida
87
VS

Chattanooga

Tennessee
81

Tallahassee is 7% more expensive than Chattanooga.

$1,238/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,155/mo ↓ 7%
$55,931/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$61,028/yr ↑ 9%
$276,000 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$259,200 ↓ 6%
$1,237/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,112/mo ↓ 10%
199,696
Population
182,832

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.64%

Affordability

26.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tallahassee, FL and Chattanooga, TN, the overall cost of living indices are 87 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $83/month cheaper in Chattanooga, saving renters about $996/year.

Median household income is $5,097/year higher in Chattanooga. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tallahassee is $276,000 compared to $259,200 in Chattanooga.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tallahassee vs Chattanooga — common questions

Is Tallahassee or Chattanooga cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chattanooga is cheaper to live in with an index of 81 compared to 87 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tallahassee and Chattanooga?
Median rent in Tallahassee is $1,238/month and in Chattanooga it's $1,155/month — a difference of $83/month.
Which city has higher income, Tallahassee or Chattanooga?
Median household income is $55,931 in Tallahassee and $61,028 in Chattanooga. Median household income is $5,097/year higher in Chattanooga.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Tennessee?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax.
Should I move to Tallahassee or Chattanooga?
It depends on your priorities. Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with median rent of $1,238/mo, while Chattanooga has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,155/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tallahassee details → View Chattanooga details →

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