Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
182,832
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
28.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 182,832 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.6 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 7.7% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 46.9% | 28.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.4% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 9.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
$40,040
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
35.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $61,028 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $40,040 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,097 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 35.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $322,291 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 53.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 639 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2350 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 36.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.2% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.7% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 52.5 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Atlanta 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, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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