Choose Chattanooga! More than 560,000 people live in the Chattanooga metro area, which covers more than 2,000 square miles. Thousands of other people live in thriving towns and cities around Chattanooga Tennessee. They love the area for its scenic landscapes, great access to transportation, and thriving industries.
But figuring out where exactly to live can be a challenge. To narrow your options down, take a look at the best cities close to Chattanooga. Here is your comprehensive guide.
Largest Cities Near Chattanooga Tennessee
The Chattanooga metro area is home to dozens of census-designated places (CDPs), cities, and towns. In this section, you can find cities around Chattanooga with more than 10,000 people. These cities are all located within a 35-mile radius of downtown Chattanooga.
Cleveland TN – 32.4 Miles from Chattanooga TN
- Population: 46,747
- County: Bradley
Cleveland TN is one of the largest cities close to Chattanooga Tennessee. It is the anchor city of its own metropolitan area, though it is a part of the Chattanooga Combined Statistical Area.
The center of the city is at the intersection of U.S. Routes 11 and 64, which connect the city to Chattanooga, Athens, Georgia, and other cities. This makes Cleveland a good place to live for commuters and people who travel for work.
14 different Fortune 500 companies have offices in or near Cleveland, including Amazon and Coca Cola. The Bradley Square Mall is the biggest shopping center in the city, and you can work and shop in more than 50 stores.
Dalton GA – 32.4 Miles from Chattanooga
- Population: 34,255
- County: Whitfield
Dalton GA is best known for being the Carpet Capital of the World. Dalton businesses make 75% of the world’s carpets and rugs, and more than 30,000 people in Whitfield County work in the industry. You can find work in a mill, factory, or outlet store, even if you are inexperienced.
Besides flooring, Dalton is home to the Dalton Convention Center. The center covers more than 140,000 square feet, making it one of the largest convention centers in the Chattanooga area. You can rent the center out for weddings, corporate meetings, and fundraising events.
The city has a thriving art scene. The Creative Arts Guild is the longest-running multi-disciplinary arts center in the state, and you can attend free classes and workshops in cooking, music, and the visual arts. If you prefer theater, you can attend shows at several community theaters, including the Wink Theatre.
Soddy-Daisy TN – 16.7 Miles from Chattanooga, TN
- Population: 13,090
- County: Hamilton
Soddy-Daisy is located along U.S. Highway 27, which runs south to Chattanooga. This makes Soddy-Daisy a good suburb or bedroom community for employees at Chattanooga businesses.
The city has fewer stores and tourist attractions than other cities in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but it is adjacent to many beautiful parks and natural wonders. You can go fishing in Chickamauga Lake, and you can go kayaking and hiking around North Chickamauga Creek. Many homes offer lakeside views, and you can buy half-acre lots near the lake for $100,000 to build your own property.
Red Bank TN – Enclave Within Chattanooga
- Population: 11,855
- County: Hamilton
Red Bank is its own city, but it is entirely surrounded by Chattanooga’s city limits, making it the closest city to Chattanooga over 10,000 people. The city is predominantly residential, making it a quiet and quaint place to live and one of the best Chattanooga suburbs. You have many options for affordable and spacious homes in Red Bank, including three and four-bedroom homes that cover more than 2,000 square feet. These properties are available for purchase at less than $500,000.
Dayton Boulevard runs through the center of the city, making it easy to drive between neighborhoods and commute into Chattanooga. You can also find a number of restaurants along the road, including McDonald’s and Taco Bell.
Collegedale TN – 20.0 Miles from Chattanooga
- Population: 10,973
- County: Hamilton
As the name suggests, Collegedale TN is best known as a bustling college town. Southern Adventist University is based in Collegedale. US and News World Report ranks the college in the top 25 best value schools in the country. Southern Adventist offers more than 80 undergraduate degrees, with biological and biomedical sciences being the most popular majors.
Many businesses serve Southern Adventist students. The city is adjacent to Interstate 75, so you can travel for work in Chattanooga or Georgia.
Fort Oglethorpe GA – 8.4 Miles from Chattanooga
- Population: 10,196
- County: Catoosa and Walker
Fort Oglethorpe is the nearest city to Chattanooga Tennessee that is outside of the city limits. The city is home to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the site of two Civil War battles, which takes up roughly two-thirds of the city’s area. The park is free, so you can visit whenever you want and go for walks along trails and through fields.
The rest of the city is residential and quaint. You can buy two and three-bedroom homes that cover more than 2,000 square feet for less than $400,000. Many homes are new constructions with modern features like attached garages and energy-efficient appliances.
Other Cities and Towns Near Chattanooga Tennessee
Here are other CDPs, cities, and towns near Chattanooga with a population of at least 3,000. All of these places are located within 40 miles of the city.
Though all towns close to Chattanooga have something to offer, some towns stand out. Signal Mountain is the safest town in Chattanooga, with a crime rate that is 80% lower than the national average. If you like great outdoor activities, you can stay in Harrison and go boating at Island Cove Marina and Resort.
| CDPs, Cities, and Towns Near Chattanooga | CDP, City, or Town? | County | Population | Distance from Chattanooga in Miles |
| Middle Valley TN | CDP | Hamilton | 11,569 | 17.0 |
| Signal Mountain TN | Town | Hamilton | 8,770 | 7.9 |
| Harrison TN | CDP | Hamilton | 8,383 | 13.2 |
| LaFayette GA | City | Walker | 6,928 | 28.3 |
| Fairview GA | CDP | Walker | 5,752 | 9.3 |
| Dunlap TN | City | Sequatchie | 5,252 | 28.2 |
| Lakeview GA | CDP | Walker and Catoosa | 4,696 | 6.9 |
| Apison TN | CDP | Hamilton | 4,146 | 22.0 |
| Rossville GA | City | Walker | 3,982 | 5.0 |
| Chattanooga Valley GA | CDP | Walker | 3,716 | 8.8 |
| Jasper TN | Town | Marion | 3,576 | 25.6 |
| Ringgold GA | City | Catoosa | 3,410 | 17.9 |
| South Pittsburg TN | City | Marion | 3,116 | 30.8 |
| Sale Creek TN | CDP | Hamilton | 3,036 | 28.2 |
Map of Cities Near Chattanooga and the Surrounding Area
Here is a map to all of the great cities and towns around Chattanooga!
Small Cities and Towns Near Chattanooga
Here is a list of small CDPs, cities, and towns close to Chattanooga Tennessee. All of these locations are within 40 miles of the city and have a population of fewer than 3,000 people. Despite their size, many small towns near Chattanooga Tennessee have terrific tourist attractions and opportunities for housing. Chickamauga is adjacent to many Civil War battle sites and museums, making it great for history buffs and families.
| Small CDPs, Cities, and Towns Near Chattanooga Tennessee | CDP, City, or Town? | County | Population | Distance from Chattanooga in Miles |
| Chickamauga GA | City | Walker | 2,982 | 14.9 |
| Bridgeport AL | City | Jackson | 2,316 | 36.4 |
| Varnell GA | City | Whitfield | 2,226 | 27.4 |
| Trenton GA | City | Dade | 2,095 | 18.6 |
| Lookout Mountain TN | Town | Hamilton | 2,070 | 5.7 |
| Indian Springs GA | CDP | Catoosa | 1,932 | 13.3 |
| Mowbray Mountain TN | CDP | Hamilton | 1,925 | 22.7 |
| Lakesite TN | City | Hamilton | 1,848 | 17.7 |
| Walden TN | Town | Hamilton | 1,810 | 10.1 |
| Falling Water TN | CDP | Hamilton | 1,776 | 13.8 |
| Whitwell TN | City | Marion | 1,771 | 23.3 |
| Lookout Mountain GA | City | Walker | 1,701 | 6.3 |
| Powells Crossroads TN | Town | Marion | 1,680 | 19.3 |
| Fairmount TN | CDP | Hamilton | 1,607 | 11.4 |
| Kimball TN | Town | Marion | 1,479 | 29.0 |
| Lone Oak TN | CDP | Sequatchie | 1,439 | 13.9 |
| Tunnel Hill GA | Town | Whitfield | 1,352 | 24.5 |
| Rock Spring GA | CDP | Walker | 964 | 19.5 |
| Flat Top Mountain TN | CDP | Hamilton | 853 | 26.7 |
| Wildwood GA | CDP | Dade | 780 | 10.0 |
| Cohutta GA | Town | Whitfield | 692 | 26.4 |
| McDonald TN | CDP | Bradley | 616 | 25.0 |
| New England GA | CDP | Dade | 524 | 15.5 |
Major Cities Near Chattanooga
Chattanooga has been nicknamed “the Gateway to the Deep South.” Its network of highways, railroad lines, and bridges allows its residents to access many cities throughout the South, Southeast, and Midwest.
You can travel for work or for family-friendly day trips to a number of great cities near Chattanooga Tennessee. Here are just some of the places you can visit within six hours.
| Major Cities Near Chattanooga Tennessee | Population | Distance from Chattanooga in Miles |
| Huntsville AL | 215,482 | 102 |
| Knoxville TN | 192,657 | 112 |
| Atlanta GA | 496,480 | 118 |
| Nashville TN | 678,851 | 133 |
| Birmingham AL | 196,410 | 147 |
| Montgomery AL | 198,659 | 218 |
| Augusta, GA | 200,032 | 263 |
| Lexington KY | 321,793 | 268 |
| Louisville KY | 628,577 | 274 |
| Memphis TN | 628,118 | 316 |
| Charlotte NC | 879,697 | 340 |
| Winston-Salem NC | 250,337 | 344 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 308,913 | 360 |
Chattanooga Area Cities FAQs
What towns are near Chattanooga?
Lookout Mountain Tennessee is the most famous town near Chattanooga, and Signal Mountain, Jasper, and Walden are within 30 miles.
What cities are 3 hours from Chattanooga?
Atlanta is the largest city within 3 hours of Chattanooga. You can also drive to Huntsville, Knoxville, Nashville, and Birmingham.
What cities are between Atlanta GA and Chattanooga TN?
Marietta is the largest city between Atlanta and Chattanooga, and you can stop by Fort Oglethorpe, LaFayette, and Rome.
The Chattanooga metro area is home to wonderful people, beautiful landscapes, and thriving cities and towns. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or looking to start a new life in Chattanooga, you’ll find something to like in a town in Chattanooga.
Searching high and low for great Chattanooga movers? All Out Moving has a team of 50 full-time employees who are ready to help you. Get your free quote at 423-716-3025.
