Chattanooga TN vs Davenport IA — 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%
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Davenport
101,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Davenport
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Davenport
37.8
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Davenport
4.6%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Davenport
11.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Davenport
1.9%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Davenport
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Davenport
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 101,083 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.8 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 4.6% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 75.9% | Davenport + |
| Black | 28.6% | 11.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Davenport
$36,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Davenport
30.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $64,497 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $36,583 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,226 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.6% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 30.0% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $191,117 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 63.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 296 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1452 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Davenport
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Davenport
21.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 42.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.7% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.8% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.2% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 21.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 49.3°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 36.0 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Davenport
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Davenport
20.4 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.4 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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