Chattanooga TN vs Des Moines 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 58.4% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 28.6% | 12.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $36,459 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 29.0% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Des Moines, 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 +
Des Moines
21.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 21.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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