C+

Chickamauga, GA

Source:

Affordability Score: 61/100

Population: 16,483 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Chickamauga, GA aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 16,483 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C+ (61/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $74,360, median home value of $235,500, median rent of $915 per month, and 24.9% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,390 per month (studio $1,211, 1BR $1,263, 3BR $1,734, 4BR $1,853). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $5,642 per year, consuming 8% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Chickamauga, GA include childcare. Pressure points are education. Unemployment currently reads 4.1% and poverty 7.4% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C+
$74,360
Median household income
Education F
24.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing C+
3.2x
Home value $235,500 vs income
Commute D
28 min
Average commute time
Rent B
$1,390/mo
2BR fair market rent (22% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare A-
$5,642/yr
Center-based infant care (8% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$74,360
▲ 20% vs national
Per Capita Income
$40,366
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Poverty Rate
7.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
$235,500
▼ 14% vs national
Median Rent
$915/mo
Owner Occupied
86.0%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,390/mo
▲ 16% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,211
1BR
$1,263
2BR
$1,390
3BR
$1,734
4BR
$1,853

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
24.9%
▼ 5 ppt vs national
High School+
58.7%
Median Age
40.5
Avg. Commute
28 min
▲ 2 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$5,642/yr
8% of income
Toddler (Center)
$5,304/yr
Preschool (Center)
$5,304/yr
School-Age (Center)
$2,860/yr

What This Means

Chickamauga, GA receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (61/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 16,483. This area performs well in childcare. Challenges include education. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Chickamauga ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Chickamauga, GA affordable?
Chickamauga, GA receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (61/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $74,360. Median home value is $235,500.
What is the cost of living in Chickamauga?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $915/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,390/mo. Infant childcare $5,642/yr. Median home value $235,500.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →