Chattanooga TN vs Cicero 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%
Cicero, IL
Illinois · Population: 26,938
- Median HH Income$57,479
- Median Home Price$268,119
- Unemployment12.7%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Cicero
26,938
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Cicero
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Cicero
35.6
Cicero +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Cicero
26.6%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Cicero
0.2%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 26,938 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.6 | Cicero + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 15.7% | Cicero + |
| White | 58.4% | 26.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 40.3% | Cicero + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 0.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 37.2% | Cicero + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Cicero
$57,479
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Cicero
$25,488
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Cicero
$68,110
Cicero +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Cicero
12.7%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Cicero
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Cicero
20.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $57,479 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $25,488 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Cicero + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 12.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 24.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 20.2% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $268,119 | Cicero + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 63.2% | Cicero + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Cicero
344
Cicero +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Cicero + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Cicero + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Cicero
35.5%
Cicero +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Cicero
13.5%
Cicero +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Cicero
16.5%
Cicero +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Cicero
29.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Cicero
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Cicero
12.8%
Cicero +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.5% | Cicero + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Cicero + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.5% | Cicero + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 29.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.8% | Cicero + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Cicero
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Cicero
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Cicero
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cicero, 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 +
Cicero
33.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cicero, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 33.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Cicero 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, Cicero scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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