Chattanooga TN vs Elgin IL — 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 114,106 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.3 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 58.4% | 45.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 5.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $36,037 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 26.0% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $333,920 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 30.4 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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