on $100k a year, leaving Buffalo
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
under Buffalo, every month
Chattanooga gives you room Buffalo doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
a quick ledger.
$1,524/mo
11% more expensive than Buffalo(vs $1,374/mo)
0%
$487/mo less in state tax than Buffalo
vs 5.85% in Buffalo
$6,809/mo
$337 more than Buffalo
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$322k
15% more expensive than Buffalo
vs $280k in Buffalo
580k
vs 1.2M in Buffalo
field notes, weather & such.
167
pleasant days a year, in chattanooga.
Buffalo only logs 152 pleasant days.
But the calendar thins out: Buffalo stays 3.0× busier.
69/100
5% higher than Buffalo
vs 66/100 in Buffalo
Closest outdoor draw: Cumberland Trail, 12.2 mi.
82/100
10% lower than Buffalo
vs 91/100 in Buffalo
8
60% fewer than Buffalo
vs 20 nonstops in Buffalo
same energy as chattanooga, different zip code:
