Chattanooga TN vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 143,611 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 58.4% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 28.6% | 21.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $45,611 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $30,282 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 28.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 38.5% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 21.3% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 68.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 47.3 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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