Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
182,832
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
7.7%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
28.6%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
2.4%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 182,832 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 36.6 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.7% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 58.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 34.1% | 28.6% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.4% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 9.3% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
$40,040
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
35.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $61,028 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $40,040 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 17.6% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 35.5% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $322,291 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 53.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.3% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.2% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.7% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 60.9°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 52.5 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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