Chattanooga TN vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 129,064 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 58.4% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 28.6% | 8.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 44.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 21.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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