on $100k a year, leaving St. Louis
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
lighter monthly cost than St. Louis
Chattanooga gives you room St. Louis doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
a quick ledger.
$1,524/mo
8% more expensive than St. Louis(vs $1,411/mo)
0%
$392/mo less in state tax than St. Louis
vs 4.7% in St. Louis
$6,809/mo
$278 more than St. Louis
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$322k
16% more expensive than St. Louis
vs $277k in St. Louis
580k
vs 2.8M in St. Louis
field notes, weather & such.
167
pleasant days a year, in chattanooga.
St. Louis edges ahead with 174 pleasant days.
71% fewer events than St. Louis. The pace eases up.
69/100
1% higher than St. Louis
vs 68/100 in St. Louis
Closest outdoor draw: Cumberland Trail, 12.2 mi.
82/100
6% lower than St. Louis
vs 87/100 in St. Louis
8
87% fewer than St. Louis
vs 60 nonstops in St. Louis
neighbors of chattanooga on the map of tradeoffs:
