Chattanooga TN vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Flint
2.9%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 80,835 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 2.9% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 34.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 0.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $36,194 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $20,799 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,052 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 17.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 34.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 13.1% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Flint
471
Flint +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 471 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 50.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 23.5% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 25.3% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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