Rents are 10% below what Chattanooga's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,522 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Chattanooga, TN is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 36% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Chattanooga, TN has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Chattanooga, TN stood at $1,174 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,522, reflecting a 29.6% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $64,523 today, compared with $50,437 five years earlier. The population has grown by 3.0% since 2021, moving from about 180,353 residents to roughly 185,783. College-educated residents now make up 36% of adults here, versus 32% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
Discussions about Chattanooga
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Can you afford rent in Chattanooga on your salary?
At $1,522/mo, how Chattanooga rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Chattanooga rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Chattanooga. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Chattanooga
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Chattanooga is $1,522/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,249/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,448/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,305/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,824/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($64,523/yr), Chattanooga ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chattanooga an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Chattanooga?
Is rent going up or down in Chattanooga?
Which Chattanooga neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Chattanooga rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chattanooga?
What percentage of Chattanooga residents rent vs. own?
How does Chattanooga rent compare to the national average?
At $1,522/mo, rent takes ~28% of Chattanooga's median household income ($64,523/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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