Chattanooga TN vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Chattanooga +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
Independence
5.3%
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 121,944 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.4 | Chattanooga + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 5.3% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 58.4% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 28.6% | 10.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 1.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Chattanooga +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $59,480 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $31,683 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,527 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 20.9% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Chattanooga +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2418 | Chattanooga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Chattanooga +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Chattanooga +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Chattanooga +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 19.9% | Chattanooga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.8% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.4% | Chattanooga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.5 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chattanooga leads in median household income at $61,028, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Chattanooga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chattanooga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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