same $100k income, fresh start from Portland
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
cheaper each month than Portland
Chattanooga runs on a fraction of Portland's budget. Same paycheck, real lifestyle upgrade.
a quick ledger.
$1,524/mo
14% cheaper than Portland(vs $1,781/mo)
0%
$729/mo less in state tax than Portland
vs 8.75% in Portland
$6,809/mo
$986 more than Portland
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$322k
43% cheaper than Portland
vs $562k in Portland
580k
vs 2.5M in Portland
field notes, weather & such.
167
pleasant days a year, in chattanooga.
Portland actually gets more: 178 pleasant days a year.
But the calendar thins out: Portland stays 5.3× busier.
69/100
21% lower than Portland
vs 87/100 in Portland
Closest outdoor draw: Cumberland Trail, 12.2 mi.
82/100
18% lower than Portland
vs 100/100 in Portland
8
86% fewer than Portland
vs 57 nonstops in Portland
in the same ballpark as chattanooga:
