Albany GA vs Chattanooga TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
White
Albany
18.9%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Chattanooga
28.6%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.6 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 7.7% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 18.9% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 76.3% | 28.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 9.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $61,028 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $40,040 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 17.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 35.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Chattanooga
$322,291
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $322,291 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 53.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Albany, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Chattanooga
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 36.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.2% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.7% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Albany +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Albany, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 60.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 52.5 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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