How much does it cost to rent in Chattanooga, TN?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Chattanooga, TN is $1,505. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Chattanooga cheaper than other Tennessee cities?

Chattanooga is among the more affordable cities in Tennessee, ranking #44 out of 65 cities at $1,505/mo.

When was Chattanooga rent data last updated?

Chattanooga rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · TN

Chattanooga

Name: Average Rent Prices in Chattanooga, TN
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 185,783·44th most expensive in Tennessee·Rental market data updated monthly for Chattanooga, TN

Median rent (all units)

$1,505/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.6%

Month-over-Month

-0.4%

vs US Median

-$460

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Chattanooga · $1,505

More affordable than 75% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

70/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% below what Chattanooga's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,505/mo

Expected by trend

$1,676/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Chattanooga's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,249

1 BR

$1,305

2 BR

$1,448

3 BR

$1,824

4 BR+

$1,974

Research median

$1,448/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$18,060/yr

At $1,505/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.6% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

185,783

Median income

$64,523

Median age

36.3

Renters

47.6%

Age distribution

21%

26.8%

23.6%

17.3%

Under 1821%

18–3426.8%

35–5423.6%

55–6411.3%

65+17.3%

Gender

48.4%

51.6%

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

Race & ethnicity

57.5%

27.8%

White57.5%

Black27.8%

Hispanic10%

Asian2.3%

Other2.4%

Education (25+)

24.7%

29.4%

36%

No HS diploma10%

HS diploma24.7%

Some college29.4%

Bachelor's+36%

Housing tenure

52.4%

47.6%

Owner52.4%

Renter47.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Chattanooga, TN has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,174 → $1,505

up 28.2%

Income

$50,437 → $64,523

up 27.9%

Population

180,353 → 185,783

up 3.0%

Renter share

48.4% → 47.6%

-0.8 pts

Bachelor's+

32% → 36%

+4.0 pts

The median rent in Chattanooga, TN stood at $1,174 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,505, reflecting a 28.2% 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.

Community

Discussions about Chattanooga

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View Chattanooga rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Chattanooga on your salary?

At $1,505/mo, how Chattanooga rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 20.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 29.3% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 25.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 14.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 11.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 31.3% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 34.6% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 28.1% income

affordable

By apartment size

Chattanooga rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Chattanooga. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chattanooga

About renting in Chattanooga, TN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Chattanooga is $1,505/mo as of July 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 1.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chattanooga an affordable city for renters?

Chattanooga is considered affordable for renters. At $1,505/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($64,523/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chattanooga falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Chattanooga?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,505/mo in Chattanooga. The local median household income is $64,523/yr, meaning the typical Chattanooga household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chattanooga?

Rent in Chattanooga has increased 1.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Chattanooga neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Chattanooga are 37416 ($1,328/mo), 37402 ($1,419/mo), and 37411 ($1,432/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Chattanooga is $1,505/mo.

How does Chattanooga rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Chattanooga is one of the more affordable cities in Tennessee for rent, ranking #44 out of 65 tracked cities at $1,505/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chattanooga?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Chattanooga ($1,505/mo): Fort Oglethorpe ($1,097/mo), East Ridge ($1,322/mo), Red Bank ($1,374/mo).

What percentage of Chattanooga residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.6% of Chattanooga households are renters, while 52.4% are owner-occupied. Chattanooga leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Chattanooga rent compare to the national average?

Chattanooga's median rent of $1,505/mo is $460 (23%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #44 out of 65 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,505/mo, rent takes ~28% of Chattanooga's median household income ($64,523/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Chattanooga 28%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Chattanooga affordability calculator →

Nearby cities