$100k salary, packing up from Madison
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
less monthly outlay than Madison
The gap is real. Chattanooga costs noticeably less than Madison, every month.
a quick ledger.
$1,524/mo
9% cheaper than Madison(vs $1,673/mo)
0%
$523/mo less in state tax than Madison
vs 6.27% in Madison
$6,809/mo
$671 more than Madison
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$322k
31% cheaper than Madison
vs $465k in Madison
580k
vs 694k in Madison
field notes, weather & such.
167
pleasant days a year, in chattanooga.
Madison keeps to 147 pleasant days a year.
But the calendar thins out: Madison stays 1.7× busier.
69/100
3% higher than Madison
vs 67/100 in Madison
Closest outdoor draw: Cumberland Trail, 12.2 mi.
82/100
7% lower than Madison
vs 88/100 in Madison
8
27% fewer than Madison
vs 11 nonstops in Madison
same energy as chattanooga, different zip code:
