Chattanooga TN vs High Point 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 115,263 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.8 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 58.4% | 46.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
High Point
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $34,492 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 33.9% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 46.1 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 22.7 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point 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 High Point 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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