Chattanooga TN vs Chicago IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 58.4% | 39.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 28.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $324,183 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 45.5% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 36.5 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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