Chattanooga TN vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.4 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 6.6% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 28.6% | 29.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 2.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $288,707 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Huntsville
14.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.7% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Chattanooga +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 62.1°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 54.3 in | Chattanooga + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Huntsville
21.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 21.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Chattanooga, TN vs New York, NYChattanooga, TN vs Los Angeles, CAChattanooga, TN vs Chicago, ILChattanooga, TN vs Houston, TXChattanooga, TN vs Phoenix, AZChattanooga, TN vs Philadelphia, PA