Chattanooga TN vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 97,227 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 5.7% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 28.6% | 5.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $59,074 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $37,885 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,714 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 21.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $380,101 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 41.9% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 660 | Chattanooga + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2507 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.8% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Chattanooga is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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