Cost of Living in East Ridge, TN

Population 22,034 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

70
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives East Ridge a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $183,000.

East Ridge sits roughly 5 miles south of Chattanooga — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 30% lower than Chattanooga's $259,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 85

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in East Ridge

The median home value in East Ridge is $182,500 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,112/month, 15% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,988/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 72.2°F and lows of 51.5°F, with about 3.6" of annual snowfall. Overall, East Ridge has a cost of living index of 70 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 30% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$182,500
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$254,086
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,112/mo
15% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,296/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$809
2 BR
$948
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR
$1,510
Owner-occupied 57.6%
Renter-occupied 42.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,112
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,726/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
21.8 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.4%
Carpooled
10.7%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
2.4%
Work from home
12.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.6%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$55,988
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$31,661
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
21% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Labor Force Participation
67.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.4%
Graduate degree 7.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.8
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 37.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.2°F
Avg Low
51.5°F
Annual Precip
55"
Annual Snowfall
3.6"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 515664748188919084746253
Low °F 323642505967717064514035
Precip" 5.025.035.344.873.944.185.083.674.233.594.805.25
Snow" 1.01.21.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
47.9%
Good air days/yr
137
Max AQI recorded
258
PM2.5 days
107
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in East Ridge, TN?

East Ridge has a cost index of 70 (100 = national average). It is 30% below the national average.

What is average rent in East Ridge, TN?

The median gross rent in East Ridge is $1,112 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in East Ridge?

The median home value in East Ridge is $182,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in East Ridge?

The median household income in East Ridge is $55,988 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in East Ridge, TN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in East Ridge is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Is East Ridge, TN affordable?

Yes, East Ridge is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 70 — about 30% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in East Ridge?

East Ridge has average high temperatures of 72.2°F and average lows of 51.5°F. Annual precipitation is 55". Average annual snowfall is 3.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

East Ridge at a Glance

Population
22,034
Median Income
$55,988
Home Value
$182,500
Median Rent
$1,112/mo
Unemployment
5.8%
Avg High Temp
72.2°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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