Chattanooga, TN, “Scenic City,” is quickly becoming home for many Tennesseans and out-of-staters alike. With its proximity to nature, outstanding restaurants, and endless ways to spend your time, it shouldn’t come as a shock that roughly 182,100 people are living in Chattanooga.
As more people move to Chattanooga, it’s important to keep in mind that the median home sale price is $300,000, the average sale price per square foot is $178, and the average rent price for a 2-bedroom apartment in Chattanooga is $1,674.
If those prices are out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. We’ve rounded up a list of the 7 best affordable Chattanooga suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 45 minute drive from the city. You’ll be close enough to explore all of Chattanooga’s best activities, without paying the price of city life.
#1: Fairview, GA
Median home price: $177,500
Average sale price per square foot: $129
Driving distance from Chattanooga: 20 minutes
Fairview, GA homes for sale
Fairview, GA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $177,500, Fairview, GA, comes in at number one on our list of most affordable Chattanooga suburbs. About a 20-minute drive away from downtown Chattanooga, Fairview is home to roughly 6,400 people. Living in Fairview, you can explore all the hidden gems the city has to offer.
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#2: LaFayette, GA
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Median home price: $189,000
Average sale price per square foot: $143
Driving distance from Chattanooga: 45 minutes
LaFayette, GA homes for sale
LaFayette, GA apartments for rent
Taking the second spot on our list is LaFayette, GA. About a 45-minute drive away from downtown Chattanooga, you can visit Lookout Mountain, a scenic overlook with stunning views of the city and surrounding areas in just a drive. Living in LaFayette, you’ll want to visit Queen City Lake for views of the water. When living in this suburb of 6,900 people, you can also spend the day checking out the charming downtown.
#3: Fort Oglethorpe, GA
Median home price: $215,000
Average sale price per square foot: $177
Driving distance from Chattanooga: 20 minutes
Fort Oglethorpe, GA homes for sale
Fort Oglethorpe, GA apartments for rent
Drive just 20 minutes away from Chattanooga and you’ll reach Fort Oglethorpe, GA, another great suburb. Even with a population of about 10,400, there are plenty of cool areas to explore in Fort Oglethorpe. Make sure to explore Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park filled with Civil War monuments and historic sites, and take a stroll along Fort Oglethorpe Greenway if you move to the third most affordable suburb.
#4: South Cleveland, TN
Median home price: $239,900
Average sale price per square foot: $179
Driving distance from Chattanooga: 35 minutes
South Cleveland, TN homes for sale
South Cleveland, TN apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than Fort Oglethorpe is South Cleveland, the next suburb on our list. With a population close to 7,700, there’s still plenty to do in this Chattanooga suburb.
#5: Red Bank, TN
Median home price: $280,000
Average sale price per square foot: $173
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,055
Driving distance from Chattanooga: 10 minutes
Red Bank, TN homes for sale
Red Bank, TN apartments for rent
Drive 10 minutes outside of Chattanooga and you’ll find the suburb of Red Bank, another great area to add to your list. With 11,900 residents, moving to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to Chattanooga, without paying the premium for a home there. In Red Bank, you can hike along the Stringers Ridge Spears Ave. Trailhead.
#6: Soddy-Daisy, TN
Median home price: $285,000
Average sale price per square foot: $179
Driving distance from Chattanooga: 18 minutes
Soddy-Daisy, TN homes for sale
Soddy-Daisy, TN apartments for rent
Another noteworthy Chattanooga suburb is Soddy-Daisy, where the home prices are about $15K less than in Chattanooga. Home to roughly 13,100 people, Soddy-Daisy is a great suburb to consider moving to. Make sure to explore the Soddy Daisy Park Bird Sanctuary, and spend the afternoon on Soddy Lake whether you’re enjoying a picnic, boating, or fishing.
#7: East Ridge, TN
Median home price: $292,000
Average sale price per square foot: $184
Driving distance from Chattanooga: 15 minutes
East Ridge, TN homes for sale
East Ridge, TN apartments for rent
Rounding out our list of affordable Chattanooga suburbs is none other than East Ridge. With a population of about 22,200, living in East Ridge is a great alternative to city life. Don’t miss out on visiting the Camp Jordan area where you’ll find ponds and sports fields, check out nearby Audubon Acres, or check out the Tennessee Welcome Center.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Chattanooga and under a 45-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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