Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Athens
57.6%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.6 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.7% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 26.2% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.4% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 9.3% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Chattanooga
35.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $61,028 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $40,040 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 17.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 35.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $322,291 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 53.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Athens, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Chattanooga
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Chattanooga
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 60.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 52.5 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Athens 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).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA