2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
La Mesa, CA vs Chattanooga, TN

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chattanooga or is it cheaper to live in La Mesa?
- Chattanooga is 42.1% less expensive than La Mesa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chattanooga or La Mesa?
- Chattanooga housing costs are 70.4% less expensive than La Mesa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in La Mesa or is Health Care more affordable in Chattanooga.
- Health related expenses are 12.5% more in Chattanooga.
 La Mesa, CAChattanooga, TNUnited States
 Overall  Unlock89.7100
 Food & Groceries108.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock100.1100
 Housing253.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$273,300$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock80.9100
 Miscellaneous153.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for La Mesa    9 Reviews

The same San Diego prices and high taxes, but not the nice weather. 15 degrees hotter than the coast. Save the money and move to AZ if you like the climate in La Mesa.  More

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I now live in Wyoming but I was a third generation San Diegan, my maternal grandmother having been born on Coronado Island in 1894. If you are a new arrival to the  More

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I Need Correct Information I lived there Over 20 Years  More

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Reviews for Chattanooga    60 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

Moved to Chattanooga from the San Francisco Bay area. It was a hard one but after losing much in the 2017, 2018, 2019 annual wildfire festival of California I got tired  More

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I feel like the crime in Chattanooga gets glossed over in most reviews. Lived here virtually my entire life and I will truly miss the golden sunrises against the  More

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I live in nearby Cleveland TN where I have lived for 20 years. I like to shop and visit Chattanooga as there is a lot to do but they do have a very high crime rate.   More

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