Chattanooga TN vs Fort Wayne IN — 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 Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 58.4% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 28.6% | 14.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $60,293 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $32,884 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,697 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 28.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.8 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA