Chattanooga TN vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 58.4% | 53.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Columbus
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $37,189 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,300 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 17.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 44.3% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.8% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbus, 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 +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 23.4 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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