Chattanooga TN vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chattanooga
182,832
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chattanooga
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Chattanooga
36.6
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Chattanooga
7.7%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Chattanooga
58.4%
Chattanooga +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Chattanooga
28.6%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Chattanooga
2.4%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Chattanooga
9.3%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Chattanooga
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 58.4% | 51.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Black | 28.6% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 2.4% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chattanooga
$61,028
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Chattanooga
$40,040
Chattanooga +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chattanooga
$59,097
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Chattanooga
4.9%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Chattanooga
17.6%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chattanooga
35.5%
Chattanooga +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,028 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,040 | $37,269 | Chattanooga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.6% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 31.9% | Chattanooga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chattanooga
$322,291
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Chattanooga
53.1%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $322,291 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.1% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
639
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
2350
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
36.3%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
13.9%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chattanooga
19.2%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
12.7%
Chattanooga +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chattanooga
16.7%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.9% | Chattanooga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chattanooga
52.5 in
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 70.2°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5 in | 50.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chattanooga
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Chattanooga, TN | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 26.0 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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