Chattanooga TN vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 117,075 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 46.4 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 58.4% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 28.6% | 10.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $64,440 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 32.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
$341,503
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $341,503 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 73.8°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 54.7 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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