Chattanooga TN vs Cleveland OH — 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
6.1%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
36.7%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.3 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 6.1% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 36.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 46.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $39,187 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $27,078 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,300 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 11.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 30.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 21.3% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 41.2% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1866 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 42.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.6% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 21.5% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 52.7°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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