The overall cost of living in Chattanooga is lower than the national average. | Photo by Denis Tangey Jr. via Chattanooga Tourism Co.
With Chattanooga constantly growing and undertaking multiple high-profile developments this year, we figured it was time to talk about the cost of planting some roots in the Scenic City.
The median household income in Hamilton County is $56,606 according to the US Census Bureau. State-wise, Tennessee is No. 42 in the country for median income at ~$54,833 per household.
The overall cost of living in Chattanooga is lower than the national average, and lower than the rest of the state.
In Chattanooga, the cost of healthcare is lower compared to other parts of the state + the US. However, the cost of groceries in the city have higher average costs, while housing, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses have lower average costs than other cities in Tennessee and the country overall.
Breaking down the numbers
Hypothetically speaking, if you live in a household that brings in $50,000 annually – according to experts — you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your monthly gross income on rent and utilities. Don’t worry, we did the math for you — your max monthly budget would be $1,250. The average monthly rent for an apartment in Chattanooga is $1,328 — putting you over budget.
According to a recent study by Attom Data Solutions, it’s actually more affordable to rent a home in Hamilton County than to buy.
Take a look at the chart below to see how Chattanooga’s cost of living compares to that of the capital city of Nashville (howdy, NASHtoday).
Interested in seeing Chattanooga’s cost of living compared to cities in other states? We played around on NerdWallet’s cost of living calculator, where you can put in any city along with your current pre-tax household income to find out what other cities you could actually afford to live in.
CEO Soak 2022 | Tues., Sept. 20 | 3-4 p.m. | Coolidge Park | Free | See local CEOs get soaked with proceeds raised benefiting the ALS Association.
National Voter Registration Day | Tues., Sept. 20 | Various times | Various locations | Free | Get registered to vote at various locations around the city. 🗳️
Wednesday
Financial Planning for Newlyweds | Wed., Sept. 21 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Chattery | $15 | Whether you’re planning your wedding or newly married, this class will help you get your finances planned.
Bit Brigade | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 7 p.m. | The Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St. | $15+ | Check out Chattanooga’s newest music venue and listen to Bit Brigade and Genki Genki Panic.
Kathleen Madigan: “Do You Have Any Ranch?” | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 8 p.m. | Walker Theatre | $35+ | Laugh out loud at Kathleen Madigan’s set from her 32-year comedy career. 🤣
Valley Vibes Music & Arts Festival 2022 | Fri., Sept. 23-Sun., Sept. 25 | Various times | Cherokee Farms, 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd., LaFayette | $40+ | Enjoy dozens of live performances in nearby LaFayette, GA.
4 Courses and Tennessee Whiskey Supper | Fri., Sept. 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Miller Plaza + Waterhouse Pavilion | $175 includes four courses and the whiskey pairings (21+ event) | Award-winning chefs from New Orleans, LA, and Durham, NC will be joining Chef Kenyatta Ashford of Neutral Ground to bring new flavors to this dinner, which benefits the Culinary Arts Program of Brainerd High School. 🥃 *
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
The Chattanooga City Council will host the swearing-in ceremony for District 8 Councilwoman Marvene Noel during today’s council meeting.
Soddy-Daisy announced the construction of its new city hall annex building. City hall employees will be relocated to the new building, whilst the old building will be utilized by the Soddy-Daisy Police Department and the city court. (Chattanoogan.com)
Announced
The lineup for the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival has dropped. This free, two-day festival will take place Fri., Sept. 30-Sat., Oct. 1 at Ross’s Landing + will feature artists The New Dismembered Tennesseans, Bela Fleck, Balsam Range, The Gibson Brothers, and more.
Festival
The 21st Annual Chattanooga Oktoberfest will return Sat., Oct. 8-Sun., Oct. 9. The German-inspired festivalwill feature live music, Bavarian food, seasonal beers, and a lot of fun. Admission to the festival is free — come in your festive German attire.
Biz
TVFCU’s Idea Leap Grant Pitch Competition will take place on Oct. 18, where the five finalists will compete to win grants to support and expand their small businesses. A luncheon + inspirational panel will start at 11:30 a.m. — make sure to RSVP to the event.
Edu
Applications for TVA’s STEM Classroom Grant Program are now open through Oct. 17. Teachers working in grade levels K-12 can apply for funding valued up to $5,000.
State
According to the US Energy Information Center, Tennessee led the nation in the reduction of carbon emissions during the second half of the last decade. The cut in carbon emissions can be attributed to the closure of coal plants + the transition to nuclear and solar power. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Health
The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee is offering freeepilepsy + first aid training programs to aid the lives of those affected by epilepsy. The course is free of charge and only takes one hour to complete. (The Pulse)
Home
Did you know? The EPB and TVA Home Uplift (HUP) program provides no-cost home energy upgrades to qualifying homes in our community (think: HVAC repair or replacement and energy-efficient lighting). See how it works + if you qualify for a free home energy renovation. 🏡 *
Featured Job
Sanofi, the maker of products like Gold Bond and Icy Hot, is hiring for multiple positions including Process Technician, Packaging Technician, and Distribution Clerk right here in Chattanooga. Interested in joining the team?Learn more about the full-time positions + benefits and apply.*
Eat
Don’t just eat better — eat the best.Sunbasket’smeal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefsstraight to your front door. Bonus: NOOGAtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveriesand more when they sign up.*
Travel
Going on vacation this fall and need to learn a new language fast? With Babbel, you could be speaking a new language in as little as three weeks. Bonus: Get 55% off your subscriptionfor a limited time. 🌎 *
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To us, watching the leaves turn from vibrant shades of green to tones of amber, scarlet, and rust is one of the most spectacular things in the world.
This year, The Farmers Almanac predicts that the city of Chattanooga + other areas of Tennessee will see peak fall foliage from Wed., Oct. 12-Fri., Oct. 28. Get out in nature + enjoy the beautiful fall colors by visiting one of these locations. If that’s not enough, here are some more fall foliage insights.
Wanna know some of our favorite places to see the leaves? Here are some driving-distance spots + pro tips to finding the best views in the city.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Brianna.
Editor’s pick: I recently got to chat with Bruzenskey Bois about his presentation for the upcoming CIVIQ Speaker Series event. He was such a cool guy, and I can’t wait for what he’ll be sharing with Chattanooga next week — more on that later, but you can sign up for the event now here.
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