Benton, TN vs Ooltewah, TN

The cost of living difference between Benton, TN and Ooltewah, TN is dramatic. Benton is 36% cheaper than Ooltewah, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Benton has a cost index of 61 while Ooltewah sits at 96, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Benton is $530/month compared to $1,456/month in Ooltewah — a 64% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Benton is more affordable at $167,700 median vs $238,000.

Median household income in Benton is $35,000 compared to $62,875 in Ooltewah (-44.3%). While Ooltewah is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Benton spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 27.8% in Ooltewah.