Chattanooga TN vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 42.9 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 58.4% | 51.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $510,297 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 75.5°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 66.5 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 28.5 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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