Chattanooga TN vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 127,200 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 58.4% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 28.6% | 12.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $64,488 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $37,359 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 20.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $323,876 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 49.4% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.1% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 46.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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