Chattanooga TN vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.4% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 28.6% | 5.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 41.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $451,202 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Colorado Springs
512
Colorado Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 512 | Colorado Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3234 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Colorado Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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