Chattanooga TN vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Eugene
177,520
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Eugene
6.8%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 177,520 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 6.8% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Eugene
18.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $63,836 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 18.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Eugene
47.6%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $478,489 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 47.6% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 355 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3001 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Eugene
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.9% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 52.5°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 46.1 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Eugene
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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