Is Denver, CO cheaper than Chattanooga, TN?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 15.4% more expensive than Chattanooga, TN. This translates to spending an extra $1156 per month.

What salary do I need in Denver, CO to live like I do in Chattanooga, TN?

If you earn $150,000 in Chattanooga, TN, you'd need approximately $163,867.565 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Chattanooga, TN and Denver, CO?

Housing in Denver, CO is 52.9% more expensive than in Chattanooga, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $1,039/month in Chattanooga, TN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Chattanooga, TN to Denver, CO?

Living in Denver, CO costs approximately $1156 more per month than Chattanooga, TN, or $13868 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Chattanooga, TN vs Denver, CO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Chattanooga, TN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Atlanta, GA area

Current salary in Chattanooga, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.9K in Denver, CO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 15.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,156

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$13.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Chattanooga, TN

Population:187K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$357K

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:115

Median Home:$513K

Chattanooga, TN

The Volunteer State

187K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Tennessee, this city has a population of 187K residents.

💡 Advantage: Tennessee has no state income tax!

Denver, CO

The Centennial State

716K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid

Notable Facts

•Mile-high city (5,280 ft)
•Outdoor recreation hub
•Major cannabis market

Major Industries

AerospaceTechnologyEnergyTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Chattanooga, TN vs Denver, CO

Category	Chattanooga, TN	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,124/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $1,124more	52.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,302/mo	$1,462/mo	↑ $160more	12.3%
🛒Groceries	$910/mo	$1,029/mo	↑ $120more	13.1%
🏥Healthcare	$558/mo	$632/mo	↑ $73.83more	13.2%
📦Other	$1,731/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $43.42more	2.5%
⚡All Utilities	$554/mo	$519/mo	↓ $35.32less	6.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 52.9%

Chattanooga, TN

$2,124

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$1,124

🚗Transportation

↑ 12.3%

Chattanooga, TN

$1,302

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$160

🛒Groceries

↑ 13.1%

Chattanooga, TN

$910

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$120

🏥Healthcare

↑ 13.2%

Chattanooga, TN

$558

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$73.83

📦Other

↑ 2.5%

Chattanooga, TN

$1,731

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$43.42

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.4%

Chattanooga, TN

$554

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$35.32

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Denver, CO: Denver Head Tax ($5.75/mo, negligible)$69.00/yr (0.0%)

Chattanooga, TN has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$902

To$1,720

↑ $818

1 Bed

From$948

To$1,840

↑ $892

2 Bed

From$1,039

To$2,190

↑ $1,151

3 Bed

From$1,299

To$2,870

↑ $1,571

Chattanooga, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,660/mo

Denver, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,540/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,179

Monthly in Chattanooga, TN

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$1,485

Difference

Home Values

Chattanooga

Denver

$357K

Median Value

$513K

↓ -1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↑ +38.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$124K - $462K

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 44% more expensive than Chattanooga

Calculate payment - Chattanooga Calculate payment - Denver

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $6.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$550

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.4%

Rate difference

Chattanooga, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Denver, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Additional Tax Information

Chattanooga, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

Denver, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.