Cost of Living in Signal Mountain, TN

Population 8,861 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

151
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 Signal Mountain a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $482,000. An unemployment rate of 2.1% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Signal Mountain sits roughly 8 miles northwest of Chattanooga. Median home values run roughly 86% higher than Chattanooga's $259,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 158
Rent 140

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

About the Cost of Living in Signal Mountain

The median home value in Signal Mountain is $482,300 — 58% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,843/month, 40% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $139,714/year is 87% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, below 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, Signal Mountain has a cost of living index of 151 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$482,300
58% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$605,540
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,843/mo
40% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,666/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.8x
Favors renting
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 89.7%
Renter-occupied 10.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,843
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,457/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
27.5 min
2% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
24.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.5%
Carpooled
2.0%
Walked
1.9%
Work from home
24.5%

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
$139,714
87% above avg
Per Capita Income
$77,758
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
57% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.6%
Labor Force Participation
56.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 39.3%
Graduate degree 34.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 43.3
Male median age 42.1
Female median age 45.5

🌤 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 Signal Mountain, TN?

Signal Mountain has a cost index of 151 (100 = national average). It is 51% above the national average.

What is average rent in Signal Mountain, TN?

The median gross rent in Signal Mountain is $1,843 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Signal Mountain?

The median home value in Signal Mountain is $482,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Signal Mountain?

The median household income in Signal Mountain is $139,714 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Signal Mountain, TN?

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

Is Signal Mountain, TN affordable?

Signal Mountain is above average in cost of living, with an index of 151 — about 51% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Signal Mountain?

Signal Mountain 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.

Signal Mountain at a Glance

Population
8,861
Median Income
$139,714
Home Value
$482,300
Median Rent
$1,843/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Avg High Temp
72.2°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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