Chattanooga TN vs Columbia SC — 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 138,019 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 5.1% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 49.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $55,653 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $38,087 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $54,550 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 23.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 47.3% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Columbia
19.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 66.7°F | Chattanooga + |
| 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
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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