Chattanooga TN vs Concord NC — 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%
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Concord
106,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Concord
54.7%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Concord
22.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 106,518 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.2 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.5% | Concord + |
| White | 58.4% | 54.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 22.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 6.7% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 15.8% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $84,752 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $40,763 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 8.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 41.7% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Concord
$384,688
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $384,688 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 66.4% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Concord
398
Concord +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Concord
1999
Concord +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Concord
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.5% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.6% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.6% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.5% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.5% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Concord
60.4°F
Concord +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Concord
45.9 in
Concord +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 60.4°F | Concord + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 45.9 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Concord
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Concord
29.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 29.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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