Chattanooga TN vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 58.4% | 53.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 28.1% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Chattanooga +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $36,194 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $58,697 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 34.2% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Chattanooga +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Chattanooga +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Chattanooga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chattanooga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 25.8 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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).
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