$100k a year, no longer in Charleston
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 Charleston, every month
Chattanooga runs on a fraction of Charleston's budget. Same paycheck, real lifestyle upgrade.
a quick ledger.
$1,524/mo
23% cheaper than Charleston(vs $1,987/mo)
0%
$542/mo less in state tax than Charleston
vs 6.5% in Charleston
$6,809/mo
$1,004 more than Charleston
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$322k
25% cheaper than Charleston
vs $432k in Charleston
580k
vs 849k in Charleston
field notes, weather & such.
167
pleasant days a year, in chattanooga.
Charleston actually gets more: 212 pleasant days a year.
But the calendar thins out: Charleston stays 1.8× busier.
69/100
3% higher than Charleston
vs 67/100 in Charleston
Closest outdoor draw: Cumberland Trail, 12.2 mi.
82/100
11% lower than Charleston
vs 92/100 in Charleston
8
60% fewer than Charleston
vs 20 nonstops in Charleston
in the same ballpark as chattanooga:
