$100k salary, packing up from Boston
changea dispatch from
chattanooga
TN
35.05°N
85.31°W
Chattanooga became the first city in the country to roll out gigabit fiber internet to every home (2010, via the municipal utility), which jump-started a tech and remote-work scene. Lookout Mountain rises right above town, with Ruby Falls' underground waterfall and Rock City's epic views. The Tennessee Riverwalk is gorgeous. The Choo Choo (old terminal turned hotel) is a fun stay.
the verdict
below Boston's monthly cost
Chattanooga sits well below Boston on cost. Same paycheck, a noticeably lighter month.
a quick ledger.
$1,524/mo
52% cheaper than Boston(vs $3,145/mo)
0%
$417/mo less in state tax than Boston
vs 5% in Boston
$6,809/mo
$2,037 more than Boston
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$322k
58% cheaper than Boston
vs $771k in Boston
580k
vs 4.9M in Boston
field notes, weather & such.
167
pleasant days a year, in chattanooga.
Boston only manages 160 of those.
But the calendar thins out: Boston stays 7.3× busier.
69/100
3% lower than Boston
vs 71/100 in Boston
Closest outdoor draw: Cumberland Trail, 12.2 mi.
82/100
16% lower than Boston
vs 98/100 in Boston
8
92% fewer than Boston
vs 103 nonstops in Boston
same energy as chattanooga, different zip code:
