Chattanooga TN vs Gastonia 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 81,632 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.2 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 7.3% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 55.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $60,554 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $33,611 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 27.7% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Gastonia
14.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 28.1 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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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