Chattanooga TN vs Hialeah 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 45.9 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 58.4% | 32.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 0.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Hialeah
17.5%
Hialeah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $53,079 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $25,766 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 17.5% | Hialeah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 21.2% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $444,086 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 47.1% | Chattanooga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 34.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 76.0°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 70.4 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 31.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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