Rent in Chattanooga, TN at a glance
2-bedroom rent (HUD)
$1,390$16,680 a year · HUD fiscal year 2026From October 1, 2026: $1,340 (−3.6%)How much rent can you afford in Chattanooga, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
Rent in Chattanooga, TN by bedroom, and the pay it takes
Income needed keeps rent at 30% of gross pay; the hourly figure assumes one full-time job, 2,080 hours a year.
| Size | A month | A year | Income needed | Hourly wage needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,211 | $14,532 | $48,440 | $23.29/hr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,263 | $15,156 | $50,520 | $24.29/hr |
| 2 bedroomsMost searched | $1,390 | $16,680 | $55,600 | $26.73/hr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,734 | $20,808 | $69,360 | $33.35/hr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,853 | $22,236 | $74,120 | $35.63/hr |
Cost of living in Chattanooga, TN: income, prices and a budget →
Living and working in Chattanooga, TN
Rent in Chattanooga, TN: common questions
How much is rent going down in Chattanooga, TN in 2027?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for fiscal 2027, which takes effect October 1, 2026, is $1,340 for a two-bedroom, down 3.6% from $1,390. A one-bedroom goes from $1,263 to $1,231, a studio from $1,211 to $1,181.
These are HUD's estimates of what a typical recently rented unit costs, used for housing vouchers. A landlord's increase on your lease follows your lease and your state's rules, not this figure.
What is the average rent in Chattanooga, TN?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026 is $1,263 for a one-bedroom and $1,390 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. That is $16,680 a year for the two-bedroom.
It is not an average of current listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so asking rents on newer places usually run higher.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
To keep a $1,390 two-bedroom at 30% of gross pay, one full-time worker needs $26.73 an hour, or $55,600 a year. A one-bedroom at $1,263 takes $24.29 an hour.
How much is a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartment in Chattanooga, TN?
At HUD's 2026 Fair Market Rent: studio $1,211, one bedroom $1,263, two $1,390, three $1,734 and four $1,853 a month.
Is rent affordable in Chattanooga, TN?
For the typical household, earning $64,523 a year ($5,377 a month, Census ACS), a two-bedroom at $1,390 takes 25.9% of income. Under 30% is the usual line for affordable; this is under it.
How is the income needed for rent worked out?
Rent for a year divided by 0.30, the share of gross income HUD treats as affordable: ($1,390 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $55,600. Divided by 2,080 working hours, that is $26.73 an hour.