Photo by Ussama Azam on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@ussamaazam)
Chattanooga, Tennessee Retirement Guide
low home pricestax-friendly for retirees
60
Retirement Score
Chattanooga, Tennessee at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $284,000
- State Income Tax
- No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.
- Avg January Low
- 34°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 91.8 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- low home prices, tax-friendly for retirees
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 60 / 100
Things to Consider
- limited healthcare options
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
91.8 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$284,000High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,176High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
32.4 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
27.5 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
32.4 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
89.5°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
34°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
53.8"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
300 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
44.3 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
20.2 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
4.8 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
181,288High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
37.0High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
17.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$57,703High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
53.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
6.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
34.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
16.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
59.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
29.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
7.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
2.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Chattanooga using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$615
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$691
Median home price used: $284,000
Median rent reference: $1,176 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.