Chattanooga TN vs Hampton VA — 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%
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 137,334 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.5 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 5.2% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 37.5% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 6.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Hampton
$36,787
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Hampton
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $36,787 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 27.5% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $278,048 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 61.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 24.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while hampton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $278,048. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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