Washington vs Chattanooga: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Washington, District of Columbia compare to Chattanooga, Tennessee? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Chattanooga is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 206% higher in Washington compared to Chattanooga, while rent is 70% higher. TN has no state income tax.
| Metric | Washington, DC | Chattanooga, TN | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $705,000 | $230,500 | +205.9% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,817 | $1,066 | +70.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $101,722 | $57,703 | +76.3% |
| Per Capita Income | $71,297 | $37,983 | +87.7% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 10.8% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.0% | 9.5% | -37.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 670,587 | 181,288 | +269.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Washington
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Chattanooga
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Washington costs $705,000 compared to $230,500 in Chattanooga — a 206% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,817/mo in Washington vs $1,066/mo in Chattanooga.
- Income: Median household income is $101,722 in Washington and $57,703 in Chattanooga.
- Taxes: Tennessee has no state income tax, while District of Columbia has a 10.75% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).