Chattanooga TN vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 58.4% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 28.6% | 8.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $541,899 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 49.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Denver
512
Denver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 512 | Denver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3234 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 25.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 27.4 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Denver is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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