Chattanooga TN vs Fayetteville NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.6% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 38.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $56,395 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $31,467 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 18.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 46.5% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 61.2°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Fayetteville
20.6 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.6 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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