Chattanooga TN vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 107,846 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 58.4% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
24.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
34.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $65,192 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $29,900 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 24.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 34.3% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Dearborn
$248,262
Dearborn +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $248,262 | Dearborn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 21.5% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.2% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 33.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Dearborn
22.8 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.8 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while dearborn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,262. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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